HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Tap Water: Committee Rooms

Norman Baker: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission if the Commission will ensure that tap water is available to hon. Members and others in committee rooms.

Nick Harvey: Following a decision taken at its meeting on 20 October the Commission has asked the Administration Committee for its reasoned advice on the arrangements for the provision of water in committee rooms. The advice of the Committee is expected in the early new year.

OLYMPICS

Olympic Games 2012: Health

Michael Penning: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what measures in the bid presented to the International Olympic Committee for the London 2012 Games were related to a legacy of health improvement for  (a) children and  (b) adults following the Games.

Tessa Jowell: We included, as part of London's bid to host the 2012 games, a commitment to use the games to set new standards for improving health.
	We have set ambitious targets for getting 2 million more people active and increasing the number of hours of sport carried out by children and young people by 2012. Our legacy aspirations were set out in detail in the 2012 Legacy Action Plan which we published in June 2008:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/5161.aspx
	Copies of the 2012 Legacy Action Plan were deposited in the House Libraries in June 2008.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Government Bills: Carry-over

David Taylor: To ask the Leader of the House what recent representations she has received on the number of Government Bills introduced in the current parliamentary Session that will be carried over into the next Session; and if she will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: I have received no formal representations on this particular subject but I have frequent discussions with colleagues in all parts of the House about various aspects of parliamentary procedure.
	Two Bills introduced during the current Session are being carried over into the next Session. These are the Political Parties and Elections Bill and the Banking Bill.

Parliamentary Questions

David Amess: To ask the Leader of the House if she will hold discussions with Ministerial colleagues on their practices in answering written parliamentary questions.

Chris Bryant: Successive Leaders of the House and Deputy Leaders have made it a priority to oversee the effective operation of the questions process and to ensure that Ministers and Departments are fully aware of their obligations to the House.
	That is why I have this week written to members of Cabinet to emphasise the importance of giving substantive answers to written parliamentary questions before the House prorogues.
	In addition, I am happy to receive representations from Members on the issue of answering written parliamentary questions.

Equality Bill

Mark Harper: To ask the Leader of the House what discussions she has had, with reference to her responsibility for the Government's legislative programme, on which Minister will have lead responsibility in the House for the Equality Bill; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: I have overall responsibility for the Equality Bill. I have asked my hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General to take charge of the Bill as it goes through the House, working with me and my hon. Friend the Deputy Minister for Women and Equality.
	The Equality agenda is at the heart of this Government, who are committed to fairness. And that commitment needs a strong ministerial team to lead forward this agenda, including the parliamentary passage of the Equality Bill.

TRANSPORT

Air Traffic Control

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  whether the conclusions of the National Air Traffic Service consultation on the Terminal Control North proposal are expected to lead to a further consultation;
	(2)  when he expects National Air Traffic Service to publish a timetable for next steps on the Terminal Control North proposal;
	(3)  whether the responses received during the National Air Traffic Service consultation on the Terminal Control North proposal are expected to lead to any proposed options that are different from those contained in the consultation.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The NATS consultation on the Terminal Control North airspace change proposal closed in June 2008. NATS are continuing to analyse responses to their consultation but published an initial feedback report in July and a progress report in October, both of which are available on the NATS website at
	www.nats.co.uk.
	NATS have not set a timetable for next steps on the proposal, given that feedback from the consultation is still under way. They are clear that they will take as long as is necessary to give full consideration to the consultation feedback. If their analysis leads to proposed options that are significantly different from those contained in the consultation, NATS will undertake further consultation in accordance with the Airspace Change Process governed by the Civil Aviation Authority.
	It would be premature for the Secretary of State to comment on the proposal while it remains subject to the rigours of the independent Airspace Change Process.

Aviation: Compensation

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to publish his review of protection of air passengers in the event of airline insolvency; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government are keen to learn the lessons of the failure of XL Leisure Group. We are working on a range of issues with the Civil Aviation Authority and travel industry stakeholders, with a view to improving the experience of passengers in any future airline or tour operator failures. Our top priority is to look at measures which will help people booking holidays over the coming months. This work has several strands. The issues currently being considered include:
	The feasibility of using an insolvent airline's aircraft and crew to return passengers home, including looking at the role of the administrator;
	All aspects of repatriation including information flow to passengers abroad about their rights and available travel options, given the different types of protection which passengers will have;
	How greater information can be provided to passengers to increase awareness of their options for protection against airline or tour operator insolvency when making a booking.
	I expect the initial outputs around the end of the year, and will keep the House informed as appropriate.

Aviation: Radar

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of capacity in the certification process for the fitting of Mode S Transponders;
	(2)  what assessment his Department has made of the availability of Mode S Transponders on the market.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Proposals for an incremental expansion in the use of Secondary Surveillance Radar Mode Select (Mode S) transponders in UK airspace are a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) who has consulted twice on the subject with the aviation community. The CAA received in excess of 1,900 replies to its latest phase of the consultation and is currently preparing a Response to Consultees document. Until the CAA has concluded this part of the consultation process, it would be premature for the Department to speculate on whether, in what form and to what timetable these proposals might be moved forward.

Departmental Lost Property

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what  (a) equipment and  (b) data was lost by his Department in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The Department for Transport has recorded 27 personal data related incidents in 2007-08 in its resource accounts published in July 2008.
	The equipment lost in relation to these incidents recorded was five laptop computers, five Blackberrys, one USB memory device, and one removable hard disk drive.

Gliding

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many meetings  (a) he and  (b) his officials have had with glider clubs and members of gliding clubs to discuss the Civil Aviation Authority's proposals on Mode S Transponders; and (i) where and (ii) when each such meeting took place;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with  (a) the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and  (b) Sport England on the effects of compulsory fitting of Mode S Transponders on the sport of gliding;
	(3)  if he will list the respondents to the Civil Aviation Authority's consultation on Mode S Transponders;
	(4)  what estimate he has made of the number of gliders which would be deemed no longer airworthy under each of the four options for phased implementation of Mode Select Transponder indicated in the recent Civil Aviation Authority consultation;
	(5)  when he expects to publish an Order relating to Mode S Transponders.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Proposals for an incremental expansion in the use of Secondary Surveillance Radar Mode Select (Mode S) transponders in UK airspace are a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) who has consulted twice on the subject with the aviation community. The CAA received in excess of 1900 replies to its latest phase of the consultation and is currently preparing a response to consultees document. Until the CAA has concluded this part of the consultation process, it would be premature for the Department to speculate on whether, in what form and to what timetable these proposals might be moved forward.

Longdendale Bypass

Robert Goodwill: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Longdendale bypass public inquiry commenced; for how many days the inquiry has sat; and what the estimated cost is of the Longdendale bypass public inquiry process.

Paul Clark: The A57/A628 Mottram-Tintwistle bypass is also known locally as the Longdendale bypass. The public inquiry commenced 26 June 2007 and sat for 15 days. These dates are listed as follows:
	
		
			   Date 
			 Day 1 26 June 2007 
			 Day 2 3 July 2007 
			 Day 3 4 July 2007 
			 Day 4 5 July 2007 
			 Day 5 6 July 2007 
			 Day 6 10 July 2007 
			 Day 7 11 July 2007 
			 Day 8 12 July 2007 
			 Day 9 4 September 2007 
			 Day 10 5 September 2007 
			 Day 11 6 September 2007 
			 Day 12 11 September 2007 
			 Day 13 19 September 2007 
			 Day 14 6 November 2007 
			 Day 15 18 December 2007 
		
	
	The specific costs for the public inquiry itself are not recorded separately, however since award of contract in August 2004, the scheme has incurred costs of £16,000,000. This includes design costs for the scheme, publication of draft orders, preparation and publication of the environmental statement, traffic modelling, legal costs, Highways Agency staff costs and the public inquiry costs.

M40: Noise

John Howell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funding has been allocated by his Department and the Highways Agency for noise barrier improvements on the M40 at Milton Common.

Paul Clark: The Highways Agency is continuing to deal with noise mitigation measures on the trunk road and motorway network through a £5 million annual ring-fenced budget. The M40 at Milton Common is not in the current programme and therefore it cannot currently benefit from this funding opportunity. No other funding has been allocated for noise barrier improvements on the M40 at Milton Common.

Parking: Fines

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what requirements exist for private parking companies to advertise their enforcement policy in locations in which they operate;
	(2)  what restrictions limit the maximum fine that can be imposed by private parking enforcement companies.

Paul Clark: The conditions upon which a landowner makes his or her land available for use by the public are generally matters for the landowner, or his or her agent. We are not aware of any specific restrictions or requirements imposed by legislation. The British Parking Association's voluntary code of practice for parking managers covers advertising and enforcement issues.

Taxis: Disabled People

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has to consult on the compliance with disability discrimination legislation of hackney carriages outside London.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport will be publishing a consultation document shortly, which explores this issue in depth.

Transport Obesity

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the merits of issuing national guidelines for the way transport staff deal with bariatric people.

Paul Clark: There are no specific guidelines relating to bariatric people using transport systems, but we will keep the situation under review. The Public Service Vehicle (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors and Passengers) Regulations 2002, describe the duties of transport operators and passengers in relation to access to buses and coaches, but does not mention this specifically.

Transport: Voluntary Organisations

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what financial support his Department makes available for local community transport; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport does not specifically fund local community transport.
	However, provided they are sufficiently accessible to the public, operators of community bus services under section 22 of the Transport Act 1985 are eligible for the Bus Service Operator's Grant (BSOG). So far £4.3 million of BSOG funding has been paid to community transport operators in 2008.
	In addition, in recognition of the importance of community transport, the Department provides funding to the Community Transport Association (CTA). In this financial year, we have committed a total of £311,796.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Human Trafficking

Anthony Steen: To ask the Solicitor-General pursuant to the answer of 6 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 351-2W, on human trafficking, to which trafficking statistics her answer refers; and if she will place in the Library a copy of the statistics.

Vera Baird: The statistics to which my answer of 6 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 351-2W, refers are extracted from the Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) Compass Case Management System records which show that during the period, October 2007 to September 2008, 125 prosecutions have been brought on charges alleging trafficking for sexual exploitation and five prosecutions for other trafficking related offences. Records held by the CPS are offence based and cover all trafficking cases throughout this period, including case investigated during Operation Pentameter II.
	While the Compass Case Management System shows the nature of the offence at the outset of proceedings in magistrates' courts, it does not provide information on any subsequent modification to charges, nor does it provide any information on the outcome of proceedings.
	I will place in the Library a copy of those statistics, which were correct as of 6 November 2008.

Human Trafficking: Prosecutions

Anthony Steen: To ask the Solicitor-General how many of the 125 prosecutions under Operation Pentameter II have resulted in convictions; and what sentences were issued.

Vera Baird: The Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) records show that 125 prosecutions have been brought on charges alleging trafficking for sexual exploitation between October 2007 and September 2008. The CPS's records are offence based only and cover all trafficking cases throughout this period, including cases investigated during Operation Pentameter II.
	While the Compass Case Management System shows the nature of the offence at the outset of proceedings in magistrates' courts, it does not provide information on any subsequent modification to charges, nor does it provide any information on the outcome of proceedings.
	Furthermore, this figure does not include those arrested under Operation Pentameter II who have been charged with offences other than human trafficking related offences, such as causing or inciting prostitution for gain, or money laundering offences.
	The CPS's records do not show how many of the 125 prosecutions have resulted in conviction or the sentence passed. Cases from Operation Pentameter II are at different stages in the criminal justice system. However, the impact of Operation Pentameter II on the numbers of prosecutions for human trafficking will be considered as part of the overall assessment being undertaken by the UK Human Trafficking Centre and the Association of Chief Police Officers. The assessment will be published as soon as possible.

Human Trafficking: Prosecutions

Anthony Steen: To ask the Solicitor-General with reference to the 125 prosecutions made under Operation Pentameter II, how many defendants received legal aid; and how much funding from the public purse has been made available for such legal aid.

Vera Baird: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not record whether a defendant received legal aid. Legal aid is the responsibility of the Legal Services Commission, which is sponsored by the Ministry of Justice.
	The UK Human Trafficking Centre is the central repository for intelligence and information on cases of human trafficking.

Human Trafficking: Prosecutions

Anthony Steen: To ask the Solicitor-General pursuant to the answer of 6 November 2008,  Official Report, column 351, for what reasons 403 of the 528 persons arrested under Operation Pentameter 2 were not prosecuted.

Vera Baird: The statistics to which my answer of 6 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 351-2W, refers are extracted from the Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) Compass Case Management Information System records which show that during the period, October 2007 to September 2008, 125 prosecutions have been brought on charges alleging trafficking for sexual exploitation and five prosecutions for other human trafficking related offences. Records held by the CPS are offence based, and these figures include cases investigated during Operation Pentameter II.
	The Pentameter II National Co-ordination Group announced that there had been 528 arrests for the six month period of police activity during Operation Pentameter II. An arrested person is only charged if the CPS is of the view that the two-stage test set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors is satisfied. First, there must be sufficient evidence to create a realistic prospect of conviction. Second, it must be in the public interest to proceed. If the evidential element of the test is not made out then the case will not go ahead, however strong the public interest in prosecuting. Not all of those arrested during Operation Pentameter II will necessarily have been charged, and many of those who have been charged may not have been prosecuted in court yet as cases are at different stages in the criminal justice system.
	Further, those arrested may have been charged with offences other than human trafficking related offences, such as causing or inciting prostitution for gain, money laundering, assisting unlawful immigration to a member state (facilitation), rape, kidnapping, false imprisonment and threats to kill. Prosecutions for these other offences will not appear in the CPS figures for human trafficking.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Alcoholic Drinks: Statistics

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what methodology his Department uses to extrapolate data from completed returns to compile the Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Statistics; whether the same methodology has been used in each of the last two years; and how differences in the ways in which data is gathered is accounted for within this methodology.

Gerry Sutcliffe: In order to make meaningful comparisons between the 2007 and 2008 collections, figures were scaled up to national totals for England and Wales, therefore accounting for the different levels of response.
	The extrapolation process used in the 2008 publication made use of the two years' worth of data available—using 2007 information to impute for missing 2008 figures and vice-versa. Estimates were produced on an individual licensing authority basis and then aggregated to provide estimated totals for England and Wales for key headline statistics in both years. The process was discussed with external experts and is explained in full in the 'Survey Methodology' section in the 2008 publication which is only available online at (page 35):
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/research/AE-Statistics-bulletin-2008.pdf
	2007 results were based on reported figures only and were not extrapolated within the first publication.
	A consistent approach has been used to collect the data for this exercise over the past two years, though some questions in the questionnaire were improved in 2008 to provide greater clarity for respondents. A small number of new questions were added to reflect additional changes to the licensing regime. A full list of changes can be found in the 'Methodology' section in the 2008 publication available online at (page7):
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/research/AE-Statistics-bulletin-2008.pdf
	There were no differences in the way in which data were gathered. The response rate improved in the second year of the collection due to licensing authorities experience of answering the questionnaire and development of their licensing software systems. Extrapolation accounted for the different levels of response, and comparisons were only made on like-for-like questions.

Gaming Machines

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans the Government has to revise its guidance on prizes and stakes on slot machines.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Government do not issue guidance on gaming machine stakes and prizes. We have recently completed a consultation on proposed increases to stake and prize limits for lower categories of gaming machines, and is considering how best to proceed. At the same time the Gambling Commission is consulting on proposed revisions to the technical standards for gaming machines.

Sports: Finance

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what criteria the National Sports Foundation require to be met for them to guarantee matched funding for projects for more than one year.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Sport England have advised that the National Sports Foundation cannot guarantee match funding a project for more than one year as its funding comes from Exchequer sources, which must be spent in the year in which funding is awarded.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Bees: Diseases

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding was allocated by his Department for treatment of  (a) varroa destructor mite,  (b) tracheal mites,  (c) small hive beetle,  (d) Israel acute paralysis virus,  (e) European foulbrood,  (f) Kashmir bee virus,  (g) deformed wing virus and  (h) bee dysentery in each of the last five years.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 10 November 2008
	Advice on treatment options and good husbandry practices is provided free of charge by the National Bee Unit's bee inspectors, but treatment of pests and diseases affecting bees is the responsibility of the beekeeper and can often be achieved through good husbandry practices. There are no antiviral treatments available for honey bee viruses and control of the varroa vector is therefore essential.
	In the case of European foulbrood, the provision of an antibiotic treatment (which can only be applied by authorised bee inspectors) is funded by DEFRA under a memorandum of understanding with the Veterinary Laboratories Agency. The cost of this was as follows:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2003-04 6,066 
			 2004-05 4,035 
			 2005-06 6,663 
			 2006-07 3,077 
			 2007-08 2,912

Bees: Research

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of neonicotinoid pesticides on the honeybee population; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: holding answer 10 November 2008
	 I refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 11 June 2008,  Official Report, column 273W, and 29 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1024W.

Departmental Older Workers

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people aged over  (a) 55 and  (b) 60 years were recruited by his Department in 2007-08; and what percentage in each case this was of the number of new recruits.

Huw Irranca-Davies: In 2007-08, DEFRA (excluding the Executive Agencies) recruited eight staff who were over 55 years of age and fewer than five staff who were over 60 years of age. This represented 2.8 per cent. and 0.7 per cent. respectively of all new recruits in the period.

Greater Manchester

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding his Department and its agencies has given to  (a) the Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisations,  (b) Greater Manchester Voluntary Sector Support,  (c) Greater Manchester Voluntary Sector Learning Consortium,  (d) Manchester is my Planet and  (e) Manchester: Knowledge Capital in the last 24 months.

Huw Irranca-Davies: holding answer 4 November 2008
	 This information is not held centrally for DEFRA and its agencies and so would incur disproportionate cost.

Gun Sports

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what official status is afforded by his Department to the 2005 Charter for Shooting drawn up by the hon. Member for Reading, West.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The Charter for Shooting is not an official departmental document.

Horses: Conservation

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many ponies on Dartmoor have been issued with  (a) Heritage Trust List passports and  (b) Traditional Dartmoor Pony passports.

Huw Irranca-Davies: holding answer 6 November 2008
	426 Heritage Trust List passports have been issued to ponies on Dartmoor. According to Dartmoor Pony Society records, 51 ponies have to date moved off Dartmoor, leaving 375 HTL registered ponies on the moor.
	There are 350 supplementary and fully registered ponies on Dartmoor within the main body of the Studbook, which contains pedigree only animals.

Horses: Conservation

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will instruct the Dartmoor Pony Society to restart issuing Heritage Trust List passports to owners of ponies on Dartmoor which meet the Heritage Trust List requirements; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: holding answer 6 November 2008
	The Dartmoor Pony Society have told us that they have temporarily suspended the issue of Heritage Trust List passports and have sought our advice. DEFRA is looking into this matter and will take appropriate action if required.

Mentally Ill Staff

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information his Department has gathered on the effect of its policies and practices on the recruitment, development and retention of employees with mental illnesses within  (a) his Department and  (b) the public sector bodies for which he has responsibility; and what use has been made of that information.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Under the Disability Equality Duty introduced by the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, the Department and its public sector bodies listed in the associated regulations are required to publish and implement Disability Equality Schemes. These are plans setting out how they will carry out the Disability Equality Duty, monitor and report on progress. In particular this includes their arrangements for gathering information on the effects of their policies and practices on recruitment, development and retention of their disabled employees, including those with mental health conditions, and making use of that information.
	The following arrangements are set out in the Department's disability equality scheme:
	DEFRA has set an explicit objective to improve the service it provides in relation to mental health issues by December 2009, and another to adopt the Social Model of disability.
	DEFRA recognises that the biggest barrier experienced by many people with mental health issues is other people's attitudes. Staff are encouraged to declare whether they are disabled and by the end of 2008 DEFRA will have introduced enhanced data gathering systems that will enable it to identify the different barriers that disabled staff face in their employment. While information is not collected on different impairment categories, the barrier categories will be used to identify those staff who state that 'people's attitudes towards them' is the biggest barrier that they face.
	To support the achievement of these objectives DEFRA has adopted the principals of the Department of Health sponsored programme 'Action on stigma'.
	DEFRA is taking action to meet our objectives in a number of ways.
	It has an employee support service that provides a confidential telephone service 24 hrs a day, seven days a week. One to one counselling can also be arranged and managers and staff can also receive occupational health advice and support.
	A recent initiative is the development of an Employee Support Service externally hosted website for staff use. This includes information on services, factsheets on mental health issues; links to external sources of help and support. This website can be accessed from any computer and can, therefore, be used in complete confidence. This internet based provision is further supported by training and awareness sessions for staff and managers.
	DEFRA's guidance on making adjustments for disabled staff provides advice and examples of the types of support that may be appropriate for people with mental health impairments, for example; job redesign, counselling or time off for therapy.
	The Department fully supports the right of all employees to be treated with dignity and respect at work. DEFRA's Dignity at Work policies have been reviewed to ensure that they are effective at tackling the sorts of unacceptable behaviour that people with mental health issues may experience in the workplace. There are trained Bullying and Harassment Officers and Mediators to support staff in the resolution of their complaints.
	Additionally DEFRA is joining a working group on Civil Service employment set up by the Cabinet Office. This group has been set up to support delivery of the Socially Excluded Adults Public Service Agreement which aims to significantly increase the number of people with learning difficulties and severe mental health issues (as well as ex-offenders and young adults leaving care) in employment by April 2011.
	The public sector bodies sponsored by my department that are subject to these requirements are responsible for publishing and implementing their own disability equality schemes.
	In line with the Disability Equality Duty, a report will be published every three years by the Secretary of State for the Environment to show: progress towards disability equality in his policy sector; and proposals for co-ordination of future work by relevant public authorities within his policy sector. These reports will show what impact, if any, policies have had on the recruitment and retention of disabled people including those with mental health conditions, and set out proposals to address any gaps identified when establishing the progress made across the policy sector. The first report must be published by December 2008.

National Parks: South Downs

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his planned date is for making an announcement on the possible designation of the South Downs as a national park.

Huw Irranca-Davies: We are awaiting receipt of the inspector's report which he has indicated he will submit at the end of November. We anticipate that a decision will be made in early summer 2009.

Nature Conservation

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to allocate funding under the Environment Transformation Fund International Window for the conservation of endangered species.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The aim of the Environmental Transformation Fund (ETF) is to support poverty reduction through environmental protection and help poor countries respond to climate change.
	The UK intends to make available the £800 million from the ETF for the new multi-donor Climate Investment Funds (CIFs). UK and other donors have committed US$6.1 billion to the funds.
	These funds are a three year initiative as an interim, international financing arrangement to help developing countries respond to the challenges posed by climate change. They will help promote clean technology, tackle unsustainable deforestation, and help developing countries better deal with the impact of climate change.
	Environmental sustainability, biodiversity, climate change and poverty reduction are closely interlinked, so we are working hard to ensure the maximisation of environmental co-benefits. The main focus of the funds will be climate change (including energy and forestry), but we have ensured that their remit explicitly includes the maximisation of other natural resource benefits including the conservation of endangered species.
	International ETF is now the responsibility of the Department of Energy and Climate Change, though DEFRA will still be working to incorporate environmental co-benefits.

Plain English

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many documents produced by his Department were submitted to the Plain English Campaign for approval for Crystal Mark status in each year since 2005; and how many documents achieved such status in each year.

Huw Irranca-Davies: My Department does submit documents for approval for Crystal Mark Status. However, information on the number of documents submitted and approved is not collated centrally and the figures could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Soil: Research

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent research he has commissioned or evaluated on soil quality.

Huw Irranca-Davies: DEFRA has a dedicated Soil Protection Research Programme with an annual budget of £1.3 million, but also funds research relating to soil quality throughout its research programme.
	Examples of recent research include:
	Assembling UK-wide data on soil carbon (and greenhouse gas fluxes) in the context of land management.
	Organic Manure and Crop Organic Carbon Returns—Effects on Soil Quality.
	Scoping biological indicators of soil quality—phase II.
	All DEFRA research is available on the DEFRA website.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces: Hospitals

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which armed forces hospitals have been closed in the last 30 years; and what the date of each such closure was.

Kevan Jones: holding answer 15 October 2008
	Details of the British Military Hospitals (BMH) that have closed since 1978 are shown as follows.
	
		
			  Country  Hospital  Closed 
			 UK Princess of Wales RAF Hospital, Ely 1992 
			  Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse (Plymouth) 1995 
			  Queen Elizabeth Military Hospital, Woolwich 1995 
			  Cambridge Military Hospital, Aldershot 1995 
			  Princess Alexandra RAF Hospital, Wroughton 1996 
			  Princess Mary RAF Hospital, Halton 1996 
			  Duchess of Kent Military Hospital, Catterick 1999 
			  Duchess of Kent Psychiatric Hospital, Catterick 2003 
			  Royal Hospital Haslar, Gosport 2007 
			
			 Cyprus BMH Dhekelia(1) 1978 
			
			 Gibraltar Royal Naval Hospital, Gibraltar(2) 2008 
			
			 Falkland Islands Military Wing at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital 2000 
			
			 Nepal BMH Dharan 1989 
			
			 Hong Kong British Military Hospital, Kings Park 1996 
			 (1) The Princess Mary Hospital at Akrotiri remains in operation. (2) Medical care is provided by the new, purpose built Princess Royal Medical Centre. 
		
	
	Officials are working to retrieve information on BMHs in Germany and to identify other overseas hospitals that closed during the last 30 years. However any records retained will have been archived and cannot be immediately accessed. I will write to my right hon. Friend once this exercise is complete to advise him of the results.
	 Substantive answer from Kevan Jones to Frank Dobson:
	I undertook to write to you in answer to your Parliamentary Question on 17 October 2008 (Official Report, columns 1561-62W) asking which British Military Hospitals (BMH) had closed since 1978.
	Details of the hospitals to have closed in Germany are shown below.
	
		
			  Country   Hospital  Closed 
			 Germany  BMH Munster 1991 
			   BMH Hannover 1992 
			   BMH Berlin 1994 
			   BMH Iserlohn 1994 
			   BMH Rinteln 1996 
			   BMH Wegburg 1996 
		
	
	In addition it has also been identified that the following military hospitals closed from 1978 onwards.
	
		
			  Country  Hospital  Closed 
			 UK Royal Victoria Military Hospital, Netley 1978 
			  RAF Nocton Hall(1) 1984 
			 Malta Royal Naval Hospital, Mtarfa 1979 
			 (1)Used as a British military hospital until 1984 when the US Air Force took it over. 
		
	
	Owing to the time period covered, many files and information resources no longer exist and any available information is not held centrally. It is possible that the details provided are incomplete, however, any further efforts to identify other military hospitals will incur disproportionate cost.
	Finally, it might be helpful if I gave a little more detail on the reference in my previous answer to the Royal Hospital Haslar. It is correct that Haslar ceased to be a "military hospital" in the normal sense of that term several years ago, and in 2007 the Commanding Officer was withdrawn, when Haslar ceased formally to be a military unit. However, the hospital is still open for NHS patients and will continue to be operated in partnership between the MOD and Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust until its final closure in the latter part of next year.

Armed Forces: Housing

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the merits of allowing additional departmental housing sites with no medium-term requirements to be made available to the public on short-term leases.

Kevan Jones: holding answer 10 November 2008
	The Department is currently exploring the possibility of sub-letting further service family accommodation properties via a commercial agent in locations where there is no medium term requirement but where a longer-term requirement remains. To date, a total of 27 properties have been made available in the Innsworth area and 21 properties at Woodbridge.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) Mastiff and  (b) Jackal armoured vehicles are available for training purposes in the UK.

Quentin Davies: There are 13 Mastiff Troop Carrying Vehicles and 34 Jackal Armoured Vehicles currently available for training purposes in the UK. A further four Mastiff Troop Carrying Vehicles are available for training purposes to UK forces based in Germany. In addition, 46 Mastiffs and 33 Jackals are expected to become available over the course of the next five months which will also be used to support training.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the comparative performance in protecting troops of the Snatch Land Rover and alternative American vehicles; and if he will make a statement.

Quentin Davies: No direct comparison with alternative American vehicles has been made. Vehicles are procured to meet the user defined requirement. While it is not possible to make any vehicle invulnerable to every possible attack, there has been a programme of continuing improvement to the protection level of vehicles in service. Snatch in particular has been reconfigured for Afghanistan, with a new variant, Snatch Vixen. As a result of modifications to the running gear, chassis, engine and other automotive components, the Snatch Vixen benefits from an increased payload, which has been used to enhance both the mobility and protection of this vehicle. These modifications mean that the new variant offers the highest levels of protection for its size and weight.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what types of vehicles are being considered to fulfill the Wolfhound designation; and whether the preference will be given to vehicles offering the greatest  (a) level of protection and  (b) load capacity.

Quentin Davies: As contract negotiations for the fulfilment of the Wolfhound designation are continuing, it is too early to confirm vehicle types. There are, however, a number of key user requirements that define the overall capability; the level of protection and load capacity are not exclusive requirements. I am able to confirm, however, that Wolfhound will have the highest levels of mine blast protection available.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the US administration on the potential for UK participation in the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle programme.

Quentin Davies: Defence Ministers have not had any discussions with the US Administration about the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle programme. Since the establishment of the USA/UK Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)/Operational Utility Vehicle System (OUVS) Working Group in July 2008, a number of discussions on participation have taken place by officials.
	The JLTV capability is a replacement for HUMVEE and performs both a utility vehicle and patrol vehicle role. It therefore goes beyond the requirement for OUVS and the two parties have agreed that there is not enough synergy to warrant collaboration on the acquisition of vehicles at this time. The Working Group does however, continue to share research and development between the two programmes.

Defence Equipment

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in respect of which models of Royal Air Force vehicles his Department has plans to retro-fit  (a) explosion suppressant foam and  (b) other risk-reducing technologies.

Quentin Davies: holding answer 6 November 2008
	Explosion Suppressant foam (ESF) is one form of fuel tank inerting (FTI). The other method is the introduction of inert gas to the fuel tank's air cavity, reducing oxygen levels and minimising the potential for explosive ignition of vapours. FTI is already fitted to some aircraft types within the Royal Air Force, including the C130s, and there are plans in place to fit a number of other aircraft types. In addition, the Department is considering its response to the recommendations made by the coroner at the conclusion of the inquest into the loss of Hercules flight XV179.
	All aircraft deployed into operational theatres are fitted with defensive aids suites features commensurate with the assessment of the threat faced and the role of the aircraft.
	I am withholding information pertaining to the fitting of specific survivability features to individual aircraft types as their disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Department of Community Mental Health

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new referrals to each Department of Community Mental Health there have been in each year since 2003.

Kevan Jones: The Ministry of Defence's 15 military Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMHs) across the UK (plus satellite centres in Cyprus and Germany) provide out-patient mental health care for members of the armed forces. The Department does not hold centrally data on DCMH attendance prior to January 2007 and the data for 2008 are in the process of being validated. Therefore the figures in the following table relate to the calendar year of 2007 only.
	
		
			  DCMH  New attendances in 2007 
			 Aldershot 394 
			 Brize Norton 654 
			 Catterick 720 
			 Colchester 340 
			 Cranwell 239 
			 Cyprus 81 
			 Donnington 385 
			 Faslane 178 
			 Germany 578 
			 Haslar 306 
			 HQNI 145 
			 Kinloss 166 
			 Leuchars 155 
			 Marham 211 
			 Plymouth 488 
			 Tidworth 379 
			 Woolwich 228 
			 Total 5,647 
		
	
	These figures record all new attendances at DCMHs (i.e. people who have not attended a DCMH previously), and therefore does not include those who were receiving ongoing treatment which started prior to January 2007. The figures include all people who attended a DCMH appointment, not all of whom will have been subsequently diagnosed to have a mental disorder.
	Data from the Defence Analysis and Statistical Advice (DASA) Psychiatric Morbidity Report indicate that during 2007 3,917 personnel were identified as having been diagnosed with a mental disorder. This equates to 69.4 per cent. of those who attended an appointment at a DCMH.

Departmental Conditions of Employment

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of employees in his Department  (a) are on a flexible working contract,  (b) are on a job share employment contract and  (c) work from home for more than four hours per week.

Kevan Jones: As at 1 October 2008, 10.1 per cent. of civilian staff work part-time (this figure excludes personnel in Trading Funds, locally engaged civilians, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary staff). The level of detail required on alternative working patterns is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	It is MOD policy that all civilian employees can apply to work flexibly, e.g. part-time, job share, staggered hours compressed hours e.g. nine day fortnight or four day week. Managers are encouraged to agree requests whenever possible.

Departmental Lighting

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many energy saving light bulbs his Department has  (a) used and  (b) bought in each of the last five years.

Kevan Jones: The quantity of energy saving light bulbs bought for use in ships and temporary accommodation for each of the last five years is in the following table. These figures do not include light bulbs bought for accommodation or buildings, which are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			   Quantity 
			 2004 (1)— 
			 2005 11,800 
			 2006 2,510 
			 2007 27,160 
			 2008 8,360 
			 (1) Not held centrally. 
		
	
	Usage figures are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Recruitment

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people recruited by his Department in 2007-08 were aged over  (a) 55 years and  (b) 60 years; and what percentage this represented of the number of new recruits in each case.

Kevan Jones: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 6 November 2008,  Official Report, column 674W to the hon. Member for Upper Bann (David Simpson).

Future Surface Combatant

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Future Surface Combatant programme is expected to go through the initial gate phase; and when the first vessel is expected to enter service with the Royal Navy.

Quentin Davies: On current plans, the Future Surface Combatant programme is scheduled to achieve initial gate approval in mid-2009, after which it will enter its assessment phase. The first of the vessels is currently expected to enter service late in the next decade.

HMS Illustrious

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel from HMS Illustrious went absent without leave in each of the last 12 months.

Bob Ainsworth: The following table shows absence without leave (AWOL) from HMS Illustrious in each of the last 12 months:
	
		
			   AWOL 
			 November 2007 1 
			 December 2007 0 
			 January 2008 1 
			 February 2008 0 
			 March 2008 0 
			 April 2008 1 
			 May 2008 0 
			 June 2008 2 
			 July 2008 1 
			 August 2008 0 
			 September 2008 1 
			 October 2008 0 
			  Notes: 1. Formal absenteeism (AWOL) is recorded by the Royal Navy once an individual has been absent for more than 24 hours. 2. The Royal Navy records AWOL statistics by the number of incidences of AWOL rather than the number of people who have gone AWOL. The figures could therefore include repeat offenders.

Morocco: Armed Forces

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what agreements his Department has with the government of Morocco on training facilities; and whether any facilities included in the agreement are in the Western Sahara.

Bob Ainsworth: The Governments of the United Kingdom and Morocco signed a Joint Accord on Technical and Military Co-operation in 1993 under which the two countries conduct bi-lateral military co-operation including training. This arrangement does not specify what facilities are used in Morocco and does not cover the territory of Western Sahara. The British armed forces do not conduct bi-lateral military activity with Western Sahara, the status of which is yet to be determined by the UN.

Nuclear Weapons: Finance

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent estimate he has made of the total life cycle costs of  (a) the Polaris/Chevaline and  (b) the Trident nuclear deterrent systems, expressed in current cost equivalents and broken down by category.

John Hutton: The Polaris/Chevaline system was replaced as the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent capability by the Trident system in the mid-1990s. Consequently, no recent estimate has been made of the costs of Polaris and the information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The costs of the current Trident nuclear deterrent are estimated at around £15.7 billion for acquisition at 2008-09 prices and around £19.3 billion on the same price basis for in-service costs from entry into service until final disposal.
	These estimates exclude the costs of the Atomic Weapons Establishment.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Children: Maintenance

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what average length of time was taken to restart child maintenance payments after the death of a parent with care in the latest period for which figures are available.

Kitty Ussher: holding answer 23 October 2008
	 I have consulted with the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission who have confirmed that the information requested is not available. However provisions under the Child Support Act 1991 ensure there is no break in payment where a new application is made within eight weeks.

Children: Maintenance

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which interactions with the tax and benefits systems will alert staff to draw attention to parents with care of the child maintenance to which they are entitled.

Kitty Ussher: holding answer 3 November 2008
	 The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have therefore asked the Commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which interactions with the tax and benefits systems will alert staff to draw attention to parents with care of the child maintenance to which they are entitled.
	The Child Maintenance Options service, which is part of the Commission, gives impartial information and support to help parents who do not live together make informed choices about what child maintenance arrangements are open to them. Options services are available via the internet, over the telephone and face-to-face.
	Where a person who is claiming tax credits reports a change of circumstances that suggests they are now a lone parent, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs will provide contact details for the Options Service.
	In the case of lone parents claiming benefits, Jobcentre Plus will provide contact details for the Options service, and, with the client's consent, will provide Child Maintenance Options with their contact details so that the client can be proactively contacted.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Children: Maintenance

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in what proportion of Child Support Agency (CSA) cases the non-resident parent was not compliant with the maintenance award calculated by the CSA at the latest date for which information is available.

Kitty Ussher: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have therefore asked the Commissioner to write to my right hon. Friend with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in what proportion of Child Support Agency (CSA) cases the non-resident parent was not compliant with the maintenance award calculated by the CSA at the latest date for which information is available.
	At the end of September 2008, of the 1,247,100 cases with a calculation or assessment, 14% were classed as nil compliant.
	Further information on the status of all cases held by the Agency is regularly published in Table 6 of the Child Support Agency Quarterly Summary of Statistics, the latest copy of which is available in the House of Commons library or online at:
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/child_support/csa_ quarterly_sep08.asp.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Departmental Conditions of Employment

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of employees in his Department are  (a) on a flexible working contract,  (b) on a job share employment contract and  (c) work from home for more than four hours a week.

Jonathan R Shaw: The information is as follows.
	 Flexible working contracts
	At the end of September 2008, 35 per cent. (39,490) of employees in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) were on part-time flexible working contracts.
	 Job share
	Details of job sharing are held on individual clerical records. To extract data from clerical records would be at disproportionate cost.
	 Home working
	The Department does not collect data to identify whether employees work from home or another location for a part of the week.
	DWP tries to be as flexible as possible, in addition to working from home permanently on a contractual basis employees may occasionally work from home on an ad hoc basis. Ad-hoc arrangements allowing employees to work from home are not uncommon. Statistical data are not collected about ad-hoc home working.

Departmental Databases

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what use  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies make of (i) MOSAIC data and (ii) ACORN data.

Jonathan R Shaw: The information requested is as follows.
	 (a) The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) currently makes no use of either data source.
	 (b) MOSAIC data is currently used by the Pensions, Disability and Carers Service (PDCS) and the Rent Service.
	The PDCS use MOSAIC data to enhance our understanding of the pensioner population, and to support pension credit take-up activity. This helps provide additional customer insight when we have no internal data, so that communications and marketing can be suitably targeted.
	The Rent Service also uses the household version of MOSAIC data to help determine localities and broad rental market area for fair rent and housing benefit decisions. The data have been integrated into their geographical information systems so that an immediate understanding of neighbourhood demographics can be determined.
	ACORN analysis was used, on the Department's behalf, by the Central Office of Information (COI) in 2007-08. It identified postcode sectors in 50 local authority areas for mailing purposes, as part of the targeting benefit thieves campaign, "No Ifs, No Buts".

Housing Benefit

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects the joint report his Department has produced with the Treasury on housing benefit to be published.

Kitty Ussher: An update will be published in the forthcoming White Paper on Welfare Reform.

Incapacity Benefit

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of incapacity benefit claimants likely to undertake the new work capability assessment in each month up to and including December 2010.

Jonathan R Shaw: Currently the work capability assessment is applied only to employment and support allowance claimants. We expect that on average 50,000 to 55,000 new claimants per month will undertake the work capability assessment depending on the level of inflows.
	The Green Paper "No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility", Cm 7363, which was published in July, proposed that all existing incapacity benefits customers would be transferred to employment and support allowance by 2013, and as part of that process the work capability assessment would be applied.
	The public consultation has recently closed and we are currently considering representations received. We will respond to the consultation in due course, including on the process of applying the work capability assessment to existing customers.

Jobcentres

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what change there has been in the number of vacancies available through job centres in each of  (a) the last four years and (b) the last four quarters.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 6 November 2008
	The information is in the following tables.
	
		
			  Numbers of notified vacancies for Great Britain by year 
			   Number of vacancies notified  Year by year difference  Percentage change 
			 2004-05 3,537,847 n/a n/a 
			 2005-06 3,113,346 -424,501 -12.0 
			 2006-07 3,614,168 500,822 16.1 
			 2007-08 4,479,190 865,022 23.9 
		
	
	
		
			  Numbers of notified vacancies for Great Britain by quarter 
			  Quarter  Number of vacancies notified  Quarter by quarter difference  Percentage change 
			 October to December 2007 1,209,838 n/a n/a 
			 January to March 2008 1,015,788 -194,050 -16.0 
			 April to June 2008 1,103,007 87,219 8.6 
			 July to September 2008 1,075,075 -27,932 -2.5 
			  Notes: 1. Changes to Jobcentre Plus vacancy handling procedures have led to a major discontinuity in the vacancy statistic pre and post May 2006. See: http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/articles/177.aspx#may06 before comparing data over this period. Interpretation of these data needs to take account of changes in recent years to Jobcentre Plus procedures for taking and handling vacancies. 2. These figures are not fully comparable over time and may not indicate developments in the labour market.  Source: Office for National Statistics

New Deal for 25 Plus

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of claimants on the New Deal 25 Plus Programme entered immediately into sustainable employment in each month since May 2007, broken down by  (a) region and  (b) Jobcentre Plus district; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The available information has been placed in the Library.

New Deal for Young People

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of claimants on the New Deal for Young People Programme entered sustainable employment immediately  (a) in each month since May 2007 and  (b) in each of the last 12 months (i) in total and (ii) in each (A) region and (B) Jobcentre Plus district; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The information has been placed in the Library.

Severe Disablement Allowance

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average processing time was for severe disablement allowance applications in each quarter of each of the last five years  (a) in total and  (b) broken down by the lowest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: Severe disablement allowance was replaced by incapacity benefit for incapacitated young persons (IB(Y)). This element of incapacity benefit considers claims from customers aged 16-24.
	From 2004 to 2006 the lowest geographical area for which figures are available was at a district level. From 2006 to date the lowest geographical area for which figures are available is at benefit delivery centre (BDC) level.
	The information has been placed in the Library.

Social Security Benefits

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of  (a) the number of non-UK citizens claiming family benefits in the UK and  (b) the number of UK citizens claiming family benefits elsewhere in the EU in accordance with Article 73 of Regulation 1408/71.

Stephen Timms: I have been asked to reply.
	Nationality is not a condition of entitlement to child benefit or tax credits, so it is not recorded. Therefore information about how many non-UK nationals overall are claiming UK family benefits under the EC regulations is not available.
	Information about the number of UK nationals claiming family benefits elsewhere in the EU/EEA is a matter for the relevant authorities of other member states.

Social Security Benefits: Coastal Areas

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of the working age population in each principal seaside town in England and Wales have claimed  (a) incapacity benefit,  (b) lone parent benefit and  (c) jobseeker's allowance in each of the last five years.

Kitty Ussher: The information cannot be provided due to disproportionate costs.

Social Security Benefits: Lone Parents

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents he expects to seek loans under the lone parent transition loan arrangements as a result of transition from income support to jobseekers allowance/employment support allowance; and what budget has been planned for such arrangements.

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the average amount of a lone parent transition loan taken out by lone parents during the transition from claiming income support to claiming other benefits in each phase of the eligibility rules for income support introduced by the Social Security (Lone Parents and Miscellaneous) Regulations 2008; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of lone parents who will require a lone parent transition loan during their transition from claiming income support to claiming other benefits in each phase of the eligibility rules for income support introduced by the Social Security (Lone Parents and Miscellaneous) Regulations 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Kitty Ussher: The planning assumption for the number of lone parents who may require a lone parent transition loan is 55,000 for Phase 1 of the lone parent changes only. From April 2009, Phase 2 and 3 lone parent customers will begin to be migrated to standard paydays as part of periodicity changes, therefore removing the need for a transition loan.
	Lone parent transition loans will be paid under crisis loan legislation. The crisis loan funding comes from the amount allocated annually for budgeting and crisis loans. The lone parent transitional loans will be funded from this budget.
	No estimates have been made of average amounts of lone parent transitional loans, but the Department has worked on the assumption that budgets will be available to cover the cost of lone parents seeking loans during the transition from income support to jobseeker's allowance or employment and support allowance in Phase 1 of the lone parent changes.

Social Security Benefits: Lone Parents

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of lone parents to be moved from income support onto  (a) jobseeker's allowance,  (b) employment support allowance and  (c) other benefits in each month of the next three years as a result of the provisions of the Social Security (Lone Parents and Miscellaneous) Regulations 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Kitty Ussher: Information is not available broken down by month. Based on internal analysis carried out for departmental planning purposes, current estimates for each quarter of the number of lone parents in receipt of income support who will move onto jobseeker's allowance, employment and support allowance or income support on grounds other than being a lone parent as a result of the legislative changes are shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Jobseeker's allowance  Employment and  support allowance  Income support (on grounds other than being a lone parent) 
			 March-May 2009 23,200 8,450 8,000 
			 June-August 2009 9,200 3,350 8,400 
			 September-November 2009 16,500 6,000 5,650 
			 December-February 2010 11,150 4,050 3,850 
			 March-May 2010 14,900 5,450 5,150 
			 June-August 2010 18,700 6,800 6,450 
			 September-November 2010 6,600 2,400 2,300 
			 December-February 2011 35,300 12,850 13,250 
			 March-May 2011 17,700 6,450 6,100 
			 June-August 2011 5,200 1,900 1,800 
			 September-November 2011 5,150 1,850 1,750 
			  Notes: 1. Figures based on internal analysis of DWP administrative data. 2. Figures rounded to the nearest 50. 3. Figures exceed the number of lone parents with children aged seven and over currently on income support, as it includes lone parents with youngest children who become too old within the year and who are moved off income support. 4. The changes are being introduced for new and repeat claimants from November 2008, and for existing income support claimants from March 2009. 5. The question has been interpreted as the number of existing income support claimants affected only. 
		
	
	These estimates are based on a number of assumptions the Department has made around the number of lone parents who will be on income support when entitlement ceases, and the destination of lone parents when they lose entitlement.
	We have commissioned a comprehensive evaluation of the changes and will monitor their impact over time. These estimates are sensitive to the particular assumptions made and will be fully tested in the evaluation.

Social Security Benefits: Reform

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department has received a response from the Scottish Executive to its consultation on the Welfare Reform Green Paper.

Kitty Ussher: Yes, we have received a response from the Scottish Government.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to answer Question 228497, on carers, tabled on 15 October 2008.

James Purnell: I replied to the hon. Member's question on 10 November 2008,  Official Report, column 925W.

PRIME MINISTER

Departmental Public Expenditure

Oliver Heald: To ask the Prime Minister what the total cost of his Office between 27 June 2007 and 27 June 2008 was.

Gordon Brown: The overall running costs of Downing street for the financial year 2007-08 were £22.78 million.
	The figure for 2007-08 includes the exceptional costs of £810,000 for essential renovation to the exterior of the Downing street estate undertaken in accordance with the requirements of English Heritage

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Algeria: Overseas Aid

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department has spent on aid to Saharawi refugees in Algeria in each of the last three years; and how much is planned to be spent in 2009-10.

Michael Foster: The Department for International Development provides aid indirectly to Saharawi refugees in Algeria through the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the European Commission's Humanitarian Office's (ECHO).
	DFID is the sixth largest donor to the UNHCR. Since 2006, DFID has provided up to £19 million per year of unearmarked funds with plans to continue this in 2009-10. In 2007 alone, UNHCR spent $6 million on programmes in Algeria; almost all of this on providing protection and assistance to Saharawi refugees. DFID's unearmarked funds support the organisational capacity building and operations of UNHCR to enable it to effectively carry out its work with refugees.
	The UK Government currently provide approximately 15 per cent. of the European Commission's Humanitarian Office's (ECHO) core budget. In 2005, ECHO provided €9.3 million to assist the Saharawi refugees in Algeria. In 2006, ECHO provided €10,900,000 (including an exceptional primary emergency response of € 900,000 to the February 2006 floods). In 2007 ECHO provided a further €10 million.

Departmental Disciplinary Proceedings

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what sanctions are available in cases of departmental staff found to have committed disciplinary offences; and how many times each has been used in each of the last three years.

Douglas Alexander: Staff working for the Department for International Development (DFID) who have been found to commit disciplinary offences are subject to DFID's disciplinary procedures. This may lead to (i) a written warning, (ii) a final written warning, (iii) dismissal, dependant upon the actual offence and any previous disciplinary action.
	Further sanctions available include "short touring" (early departure from an overseas posting), restrictions to applying for promotion opportunities and restrictions on applying for overseas postings. Such sanctions are considered on a case by case basis.
	Action on confirmed disciplinary offences in the last three years were:
	
		
			   First written warning  Final written warning  Dismissal 
			 2007-08 6 7 7 
			 2006-07 9 Less than 5 10 
			 2005-06 7 Less than 5 7

Departmental Lost Property

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what  (a) equipment and  (b) data was lost by his Department in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development (DFID) can confirm the following information:
	 (a) Equipment loss—Nine laptops were stolen during the period 2007-08. All DFID laptops have secure encryption technology and no data have been put at risk.
	 (b) The Department for International Development, in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance, did not report any personal data related incidents for the period 2007-08.

Departmental Responsibilities

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development in which countries his Department has representation on the ground.

Douglas Alexander: The countries which have Department for International Development (DFID) representation on the ground are as shown in the following list:
	Afghanistan
	Albania
	Armenia
	Bangladesh
	Barbados
	Bolivia
	Bosnia
	Brazil
	Burma
	Burundi
	Cambodia
	China
	Congo, Dem Rep
	Ethiopia
	Georgia
	Ghana
	Guyana
	India
	Indonesia
	Iraq
	Jamaica
	Jordan
	Kenya (covers Somalia)
	Kosovo
	Kyrgyzstan
	Malawi0
	Moldova
	Montserrat
	Mozambique
	Nepal
	Nicaragua
	Nigeria
	Pakistan
	Palestinian Territories
	Russia
	Rwanda
	Serbia
	Sierra Leone (covers Liberia)
	South Africa
	St. Helena
	Sudan
	Tajikistan
	Tanzania
	Uganda
	Vietnam
	Yemen
	Zambia
	Zimbabwe
	
		
			  International Institutions 
			  UK Representation/Delegation/Mission to:  
			  European Union  
			 EU (European Union) Brussels, Belgium 
			   
			  International Monetary Fund  
			 IMF (International Monetary Fund) Washington, USA 
			   
			 United Nations  
			 FAO (Food & Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations) Rome, Italy 
			 UN (United Nations) New York, USA 
			 UN (United Nations) Vienna, Austria 
			 UN (United Nations) Geneva, Switzerland 
			 UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation) Paris, France

TREASURY

Banks: Compensation

Harry Cohen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 27 October 2008,  Official Report, column 776W, on banks: compensation, what steps he plans to take to ensure that banks which have sought recourse to the banking rescue package are not commercially disadvantaged.

Ian Pearson: The banks which have sought recourse to the bank recapitalisation package will be more strongly capitalised and therefore better placed to serve the best long term interests of their shareholders, including the taxpayer.

Council Tax: Wales

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 21 July 2008,  Official Report, column 716W, on council tax: Wales, what the web address of the page with the updated information is.

Stephen Timms: The information is accessed via:
	www.voa.gov.uk
	by clicking on the Council Tax tab/Information for Wales only/Details of Council Tax List alterations.

Departmental Internet

Theresa May: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for which Government websites his Department is responsible; how many visitors each received in the last period for which figures are available; and what the cost of maintaining each site was in that period.

Angela Eagle: Maintenance costs and visitor statistics in 2007-08 for websites which come under responsibility of the Chancellor of the Exchequer are as follows:
	
		
			  Website address  Maintenance costs 2007-08 (£)  Unique visits in 2007-08( 1) 
			 www.hm-treasury.gov.uk 117,332 3,174,007 
			 www.the.gfp.treasury.gov.uk 0 101,443 
			 www.isb.gov.uk 9,750 195,671 
			 www.stakeholdersavinggov.uk (2)— 51,495 
			 www.ges.gov.uk 0 46,976 
			
			  Sites hosted on a shared server: 15,924 — 
			 www.gsr.gov.uk — 198,557 
			 www.euro.gov.uk 11,985 42,0876 
			 www.financialinclusion-taskforce.org.uk — 27,320 
			 www.financial-reporting.gov.uk — (2)— 
			 (1) Unless otherwise indicated. (2) Unavailable. 
		
	
	Maintenance costs includes direct costs, for example web hosting, support and infrastructure.
	Staff costs are not included as they could be established only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Older Workers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people recruited by his Department in 2007-08 were aged over  (a) 55 years and  (b) 60 years; and what percentage this represented of the number of new recruits in each case.

Angela Eagle: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given on 23 October 2008,  Official Report, column 546W.

Departmental Planning Permission

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what planning applications were made by his Department between May 1997 and May 1998.

Angela Eagle: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Public Relations

James Duddridge: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies spent on each of the external public relations and marketing companies included in the Central Office of Information's Public Relations Framework in each of the last 36 months.

Angela Eagle: In the past 36 months, neither the Treasury nor any of its agencies has had any direct expenditure with companies listed in the Central Office of Information's Public Relations Framework.

Departmental Written Questions

Nick Gibb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Questions for written answer were tabled to his Department in Session  (a) 2002-03,  (b) 2003-04,  (c) 2004-05,  (d) 2005-06,  (e) 2006-07 and  (f) 2007-08 to date; and how many were (i) answered substantively and (ii) not answered on grounds of disproportionate cost.

Angela Eagle: The number of written questions received by the Treasury in each of the last six parliamentary Sessions has been as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2002-03 3,963 
			 2003-04 3,099 
			 2004-05 1,377 
			 2005-06 6,437 
			 2006-07 4,432 
			 2007-08 (to date) 3,737 
		
	
	Treasury Ministers endeavour to provide suitable substantive answers to all questions. Information is not available relating to questions which could not be answered wholly or in part because the data requested by questioners were not available or because it could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Derbyshire Offshore

Mark Todd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what UK regulatory involvement there was in the acquisition of Derbyshire Offshore by Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander International;
	(2)  what UK regulatory interest existed in Derbyshire Offshore prior to its acquisition by Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander International in December 2007.

Ian Pearson: Derbyshire Offshore (the trading name for Derbyshire Building Society's Isle of Man subsidiary) was established in the Isle of Man in 1990 and was regulated by the Isle of Man Financial Supervision Commission. The transfer of Derbyshire Offshore to Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander Isle of Man was a commercial decision for the firms concerned and a matter for the Isle of Man authorities including the financial regulator, Isle of Man's Financial Supervision Commission.

MapInfo

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what datasets the Valuation Office Agency has purchased from the company MapInfo in the last five years.

Stephen Timms: None.

Non-domestic Rates: Ports

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 7 October 2008,  Official Report, column 594W, on non-domestic rates: ports, which Minister authorised the decision to impose backdated business rates on ports and shipping companies.

Stephen Timms: No ministerial authorisation was sought or given, since the actions taken by valuation officers were in discharge of their statutory duties to ensure properties liable to business rates are correctly assessed. The date from which any such changes take effect is prescribed by legislation, in relation to which valuation officers do not have discretion.

Public Sector: Procurement

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will establish a Buy British preference in public sector procurement; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: Government policy is that all procurement decisions will be based on value for money. This is to ensure that the best use is made of taxpayers' money. Value for money is usually achieved through fair competition in open markets. Furthermore, the UK is bound by EU and World Trade Organisation public procurement rules which would rule out discriminating in favour of national suppliers.

Stamp Duties

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department made of the effects of the 1991-92 stamp duty suspension on the housing market.

Ian Pearson: Treasury Ministers do not have access to assessments and other documents prepared for previous administrations.

Stamp Duty Land Tax

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's assessment is of the maximum financial value of a reasonable fee for the purposes of the Stamp Duty Land Tax (Zero-Carbon Homes Relief) (Amendment) Regulations 2008.

Ian Pearson: The Stamp Duty Land Tax (Zero-Carbon Homes Relief) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 provide for Government Departments to charge a fee when assessing whether a home is zero-carbon. The regulations do not prescribe the fee but they do limit how much can be charged to an amount which is "reasonable". The condition is designed to ensure that Government Departments cannot make a profit from provision of this service.

Taxation: Aviation

Robert Syms: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the effect on the number of flights using UK airports of the introduction of aviation duty.

Angela Eagle: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Manchester, Blackley (Graham Stringer) and Derby, North (Mr. Laxton) and the hon. Member for Manchester, Withington (Mr. Leech) on 27 October 2008,  Official Report, columns 789-90W.

Valuation Office

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Beacon groups the Valuation Office Agency uses in the revaluations and valuations of domestic properties; and what the determining characteristics are of each such group.

Stephen Timms: The Valuation Office Agency uses a dwelling house coding system to capture the attributes of domestic properties in support of its domestic valuation work. An attribute code of 'Group' is used to identify the architectural style of a dwelling. For information about the characteristics of each 'Group' I refer the hon. Member to the 'Index to Groups' within the Valuation Office Agency's Property Details Guide (also known as 'Dwellinghouse coding—an illustrated guide'), which is available on its website at
	http://www.voa.gov.uk/publications/DwellingHouseCodingGuide/files/indexto_groups.htm.

Valuation Office

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, under the terms of the contract with rightmove.co.uk, homeowners may refuse to provide information regarding their homes to the Valuation Office Agency.

Stephen Timms: This is a matter between Rightmove plc, its member agents and their clients and did not form part of the contract between Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and Rightmove.

Valuation Office

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what advice the Valuation Office Agency has sought from the Office of the Surveillance Commissioner; on what occasions; and for what purposes.

Stephen Timms: None.

Valuation Office

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the Valuation Office Agency's management board meeting minutes of 24 July 2008, if he will place in the Library a copy of the practical advice on preparation of hard copy records that has been posted on the Agency's intranet.

Stephen Timms: I have done so.

Valuation Office

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the speech and presentation of the Chief Executive of the Valuation Office Agency made at the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation annual conference on 1 October 2008.

Stephen Timms: The speech and presentation are available on the Valuation Office Agency website (www.voa.gov.uk) via the following link:
	http://www.voa.gov.uk/news/press08/Documents/Delivering_the_modern_valuation_service_-_2010_and_beyond.pdf

Valuation Office: Capgemini

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 10 September 2008,  Official Report, columns 1956-7W, on the Valuation Office Agency: Capgemini, what the  (a) names,  (b) types and  (c) functions of the licences categorised under the other costs heading are.

Stephen Timms: Core licences were purchased for the Envinsa software to be used in connection with the VOA's Geographical Information System.

Valuation Office: Consultants

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2008,  Official Report, column 1957W, on the Valuation Office: consultants, what the  (a) function and  (b) nature of the consultancy support being provided for each of the two assignments in relation to the World Class Delivery programme is; and whether it includes assistance on the manner in which council tax valuations are conducted.

Stephen Timms: The function of the two assignments in relation to the World Class Delivery Programme was, respectively, to:
	Review and refine key aspects of the future operating model (digital records, centralised support processes and wireless technology) to ensure continuing clarity and cohesion across projects in terms of deliverables and benefits.
	Review the structure and funding of corporate services provision as part of the future operating model.
	The nature of the assistance was to provide expert input, independent assurance and external benchmarking together with facilitated workshops.

Valuation Office: Consultants

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2008,  Official Report, column 1957W, on the Valuation Office: consultants, if he will place in the Library the Brand Vista research report, redacting any commercially confidential elements.

Stephen Timms: The Brand Vista report primarily analyses and advises on the current and future market positioning of District Valuer Services. It is commercially sensitive and contains detailed feedback from clients which was given in confidence and for these reasons it is not appropriate to publish the report.

Valuation Office: Contracts

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many invitations to tender the Valuation Office Agency has issued in the last 12 months; and for what projects.

Stephen Timms: The Valuation Office Agency has not issued any invitations to tender in the last 12 months.

Valuation: Information and Communications Technology

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what work the Valuation Office Agency's processing centre in Rhyl will undertake in relation to digitisation of council tax valuation records.

Stephen Timms: No.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Brussels

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many official visits he has made to Brussels in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: None.

Departmental Correspondence

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of correspondence received by his Department has been responded to in less than a month in each month since May 2007.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Total per month  Successful  Percentage within 30 days/month 
			 May 2007 66 58 87.88 
			 June 2007 96 86 89.58 
			 July 2007 96 84 87.50 
			 August 2007 53 44 83.02 
			 September 2007 58 50 86.21 
			 October 2007 96 78 81.25 
			 November 2007 69 55 79.71 
			 December 2007 71 55 77.46 
			 January 2008 91 82 90.11 
			 February 2008 75 61 81.33 
			 March 2008 60 44 73.33 
			 April 2008 109 87 79.82 
			 May 2008 95 75 78.95 
			 June 2008 115 100 86.96 
			 July 2008 103 74 71.84 
			 August 2008 80 61 76.25 
			 September 2008 174 158 90.80 
			 October 2008 143 131 91.61 
			  1,650 1,383 83.82

Departmental ICT

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what IT projects his Department is undertaking; and what estimate has been made of the cost of each such project.

Paul Goggins: The majority of IT projects are relatively small and are developed in-house with minimum cost. To compile information to support all projects would be at disproportionate cost. Therefore the information within the following table relates only to current approved IT projects which cost in excess of £1 million.
	
		
			  Project name  Estimated cost (£ million) 
			 Causeway Programme 61 
			 Prisoner Record Information System (PRISM)—Technical Refresh 1.3

Departmental Internet

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many visits to his Department's website have been recorded from computers outside his Department and the parliamentary estate  (a) since May 2007 and  (b) in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: From information available the total number of visitors who visited the Northern Ireland Office website (www.nio.gov.uk), excluding those from the Northern Ireland Office, the Northern Ireland civil service and the parliamentary estate is shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Number of visits 
			 May 2007 to present 964,867 
			 October 2007 to October 2008 634,617

Departmental Manpower

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of his Department's staff are seconded from other Government departments, broken down by department of origin.

Paul Goggins: The number of staff who are seconded from other Government Departments to the Northern Ireland Office is detailed in the following table.
	
		
			  Department  Number of staff seconded 
			 Home Office 2 
			 Ministry of Defence 1 
			 Ministry of Justice 1

Departmental Marketing

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many  (a) newspaper and  (b) television advertisements his Department funded or part-funded in the last 12 months. [Official Report, 17 December 2008, Vol. 485, c. 8MC.]

Shaun Woodward: In the last 12 months, the Northern Ireland Office funded 46 newspaper advertisements and one television advertisement. It also part-funded a further two television advertisements during this period.

Departmental Press Releases

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many press releases have been issued by his Department in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: During the last 12 months (1 November 2007 to 31 October 2008) my Department has issued 208 press releases.

Irish Government

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings he has had with officials of the Irish government in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: In the course of my duties I am in regular meetings and maintain regular contact with Ministers and officials from the Irish Government.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings he has had with members of the Northern Ireland Assembly in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: In the course of my duties I have regular meetings and maintain regular contact with members of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Official Visits

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many flights he has taken on official business in the last 12 months; and what steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions of those flights.

Shaun Woodward: As the hon. Member will be aware, to fulfil my duties as Secretary of State in Northern Ireland and fulfil Cabinet obligations, including my role on the National Economic Council, it is necessary for me to travel to and from Northern Ireland regularly and frequently, and often at short notice.
	Details of foreign visits by Cabinet Ministers are published annually by the Cabinet Office. Copies are available in the Library.
	Since April 2006 emissions from central Government ministerial and official air travel has been offset through the Government Carbon Offsetting Fund. Departmental aviation emissions are calculated on an annual basis and subsequently offset through payments to the fund. The fund purchases certified emissions reduction credits from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with sustainable development benefits, located in developing countries.

Official Visits

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much he has spent on each mode of transportation for official visits in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: Details of foreign visits by Cabinet Ministers are published annually by the Cabinet Office. Copies are available in the Library.
	Expenditure on transport for each official visit within Great Britain and Northern Ireland cannot be separated from the overall costs for transport incurred in the course of my duties.

Official Visits

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many official visits he has made to  (a) Northern Ireland and  (b) the Republic of Ireland in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: As the hon. Member will be aware, as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland my duties and meetings require me to be in Northern Ireland for a varying number of days each week. I travel to the Republic of Ireland to meet the Irish Government when necessary.

Police: Complaints

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complaints about Police Service of Northern Ireland helicopter activity were recorded in each district command unit area in each of the last 12 months.

Paul Goggins: Dealing with such complaints is the operational responsibility of the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. I have asked the chief executive to reply to the hon. Member directly, and will arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

Prisons: Construction

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what recent consultations he has had on building new prisons in Northern Ireland;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had on building new prisons in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: On 18 December 2007 I published the comprehensive options appraisal for the future development of the adult male estate in Northern Ireland. Since then there have been a range of contacts between the Prison Service and elected representatives. Formal consultation will take place in the next phase of the Magilligan Prison redevelopment programme.
	Separately, I commissioned the development of an overall strategy for the management of women offenders and the options for the provision of a new women's custodial facility. In April a consultative conference was held at Hillsborough Castle over four days involving a wide range of providers from the statutory and voluntary sectors, principally on the overall strategy for managing women. Further discussions were also held with all female offenders, Prison Service staff and internal providers of services.
	The Prison Service is currently preparing a strategic outline business case for a new women's prison. This work, in conjunction with the strategy for the management of women offenders, will be issued for public consultation shortly.

Recruitment: Religion

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures he has taken to recruit people from non-Christian backgrounds to his Department.

Shaun Woodward: The Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP), which is responsible for recruitment to the Northern Ireland Civil Service, also facilitates the majority of recruitment to the Northern Ireland Office.
	DFP has liaised with representatives from Northern Ireland's ethnic communities to identify proactive measures to encourage more applications from these communities and remove barriers to their retention and progression within the civil service.

Religion

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings he has had with church leaders in Northern Ireland in the last 12 months, broken down by denomination.

Shaun Woodward: In the course of my duties I have regular contact with church leaders of all denominations in Northern Ireland.

Reoffenders

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of 16 to 25 year old ex-prisoners in Northern Ireland reoffended within  (a) 12 months and  (b) three years of release from custody in the latest period for which figures are available.

Paul Goggins: The information is as follows:
	 (a) During the calendar year 2005, there were 376 prisoners released from adult or juvenile custody in Northern Ireland who were aged 16 to 25 on the date they were given a custodial sentence. During the 12 months following the date of their release, 194 of these ex-prisoners committed a proven offence. This represents a one year reoffending rate of 51.6 per cent.
	 (b) During the calendar year 2003, there were 430 prisoners released from adult or juvenile custody in Northern Ireland who were aged 16 to 25 on the date they were given a custodial sentence. During the three years following the date of their release, 303 of these ex-prisoners committed a proven offence. This represents a three year reoffending rate of 70.5 per cent.

USA

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings he has had with officials of the US administration in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: In the course of my duties I am in regular meetings and maintain regular contact with members of the US Administration.

USA

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many official visits he has made to the United States of America in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: The United States has played and continues to play a critical role in the political process, further progress towards the devolution of policing and justice and investment in Northern Ireland. Successive Secretaries of State have worked closely with the United States and have made regular visits to discuss policy. I continue this policy.
	Details of all foreign visits undertaken by Cabinet Ministers are published by the Cabinet Office annually. Copies are available in the Library.

Young Offender Institutions: Per Capita Costs

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average cost of providing a place in a young offender institution in Northern Ireland was in the latest year for which figures are available.

Paul Goggins: The Northern Ireland Prison Service currently houses the young offender population together with the female population on a single site at Hydebank Wood. There are 261 young offender places and 74 female places. Costs are not captured below establishment level and so it would be difficult and unreliable to estimate the cost of providing a place for a single young offender. The delegated annual resource budget for Hydebank Wood is £23.95 million.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Christmas

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many Christmas functions  (a) she,  (b) officials from her Department and  (c) officials from its executive agencies (i) hosted and (ii) attended in 2007-08; what the cost to the public purse was; and if she will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State attended five Christmas functions in 2007-08. She also hosted one Christmas function at a cost of £250. The other information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Contracts

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 29 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1139W, on departmental contracts, to which of her Department's programmes each contract relates.

Sadiq Khan: Please see the following table. Not all of these contracts are related to programmes, some have been let for day to day business.
	
		
			  Table of consultancy contracts let by programme—year to end September 2008 
			  Vendor name  Programme  Contract value (£) 
			 Acumen Consortium Community Builders 84,640 
			 Acumen Consortium HSMOB—Homes 9,000 
			 Addison & Associates Ltd. Economic Development 42,678 
			 Addison & Associates Ltd. Planning Systems Improvement 56,048 
			 Amqis Consortium Admin 260,582 
			 Brahm Ltd. Admin 18,175 
			 Business in the Community Business in the Community 68,080 
			 Certes Computing Ltd. ePlanning Programme 101,375 
			 Chartered Inst of Housing Efficiency Improvements 86,400 
			 Ciria Planning Systems Improvement 49,964 
			 Collective Enterprises Ltd. Supporting People 2,999,648 
			 Deloitte MCS Ltd. Admin 30,000 
			 Entec UK Ltd. Fire Research 47,410 
			 Ethnos Research & Consultancy REACH 81,880 
			 Europe Economics Buildings Reg Research 154,030 
			 Faith Matters Faith Leaders 90,000 
			 FDS International Ltd. Fire Protection 47,303 
			 Greenstreet Berman Ltd. Fire Research 102,478 
			 Greenstreet Berman Ltd. Fire Prevention 72,837 
			 Hays Personnel Services Admin 93,000 
			 Hays Personnel Services Admin 93,000 
			 Hays Personnel Services HIP Programme 27,000 
			 Health & Safety Laboratories Resilience Research 99,000 
			 Heriot-Watt University Choice Based Lettings 88,012 
			 Idenk Ltd. Admin 50,000 
			 IECR Ltd. Small Area Data 73,370 
			 Improvement & Development Agency Local Partnerships & Delivery 89,000 
			 Informed Solutions Ltd. Information Management Programme 500,000 
			 Intelligent Addressing Ltd. Fire Control 20,300 
			 Kent University Statistics and Research Programme 88,820 
			 Lambert Smith Hampton Fire Control 11,300 
			 Land Data CIC Energy Performance Building Objective 50,000 
			 Leeds Metropolitan University Small Area Data 21,875 
			 Market & Opinion Research Int. Ltd. Small Area Data 66,510 
			 Mott Macdonald Ltd. Statistics Research 45,000 
			 Nera Economic Consulting New Dimension 73,849 
			 Ove Arup & Partners Planning Systems Improvement 53,575 
			 Oxford Consult Social Inclusion Ltd. Small Area Data 57,000 
			 PA Consulting Services Limited Admin 43,750 
			 PA Consulting Services Limited Energy Performance of Buildings Programme 127,305 
			 PA Consulting Services Limited Admin 82,750 
			 Partnerships UK Plc Homes 579,000 
			 Progressive Recruitment Ltd. Enhanced Local Government accrued reporting project 42,000 
			 QI Consulting Ltd. Firelink 107,400 
			 Rocket Science UK Ltd. Small Area Data 52,085 
			 Roger Tym & Partners Thames Gateway—Direct Funding 36,585 
			 Scott Wilson Ltd. Admin 78,705 
			 Securetest Ltd. Admin 14,000 
			 Serco Admin 40,814 
			 Shared Intelligence Ltd. Community Empowerment 23,960 
			 Stanton Marris LLP Admin 93,350 
			 Sustrans Thames Gateway—Direct Funding 39,997 
			 Teg Kenyon Limited ePlanning Programme 25,950 
			 Veredus Interim Mgmt IPC Contingency Fund 111,175 
			 Xantura Limited Small Area Data 89,800 
			 Xantura Limited Small Area Data 89,820

Departmental ICT

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) memory sticks,  (b) laptop computers,  (c) desktop computers,  (d) hard drives and  (e) mobile telephones were (i) lost by and (ii) stolen from her Department in each year since its establishment.

Sadiq Khan: Communities and Local Government was formed on 5 May 2006. The information as follows goes back to May 2002, and includes data for CLG's predecessor Department, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (which was formed on 29 May 2002) and its agencies. The data requested prior to this date are not held centrally and therefore cannot be provided.
	
		
			   Status  Memory stick  Laptop computer  Desktop computer  Hard drive  Mobile telephone 
			 2002-03 Lost 0 0 0 0 0 
			  Stolen 0 2 0 0 0 
			
			 2003-04 Lost 0 0 0 0 1 
			  Stolen 0 2 0 0 0 
			
			 2004-05 Lost 0 0 0 0 0 
			  Stolen 0 2 0 0 0 
			
			 2005-06 Lost 0 0 0 0 0 
			  Stolen 0 (*)7 0 0 0 
			
			 2006-07 Lost 0 0 0 0 0 
			  Stolen 0 7 0 0 2 
			
			 2007-08 Lost 0 0 0 0 0 
			  Stolen 0 9 3 0 2 
			  Note: This includes two x laptops from the Fire Service College and recorded as lost at the time of the answer of 13 February 2006,  Official Report, column 1616W, to the hon. Member for Monmouth (David T.C. Davies) but subsequently reported as stolen. 
		
	
	The official data on each of the laptops were not encrypted, because none of the information was classified. However, each laptop was password protected.
	This answer does not include Government offices for the region who carry out functions on behalf of 10 Government Departments.

Departmental Lost Property

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what  (a) equipment and  (b) data was lost by her Department in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: The Department for Communities and Local Government, in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance did not report any personal or other data related incidents for the period 2007-8. No equipment containing data was recorded as lost in the same period.
	This response does not include the Government Office for the English Regions which carry out work for 10 Government departments.

Departmental Marketing

Edward Timpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much funding her Department and its agencies have provided in sponsorship of the House Magazine 2009 diary.

Sadiq Khan: None.

Departmental Older Workers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people recruited by her Department in 2007-08 were aged over  (a) 55 years and  (b) 60 years; and what percentage this represented of the number of new recruits in each case.

Sadiq Khan: The Department for Communities and Local Government recruited 11 people over the age of 55 between 1 January 2007 and 31 October 2008 which was 5 per cent. of total new recruits. The Department has recruited seven staff over the age of 60 which was 3 per cent. of total recruits.

Departmental Training

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what personal training courses at public expense she has undertaken since her appointment.

Sadiq Khan: My right hon. Friend has had foreign language training and advice on continuing professional development.

Deprivation Indicators

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the  (a) current and  (b) previous ranking is of each of the lowest ranked lower super output areas in each field of multiple deprivation in each of the principal seaside towns in England and Wales, giving the name of each of the ward areas affected.

John Healey: A table has been deposited in the Library providing the current and previous ranking for the most deprived lower super output area on the overall measure of multiple deprivation and on each of the seven domains that make up the Index of Multiple Deprivation for each of the principal seaside towns in England.
	We do not hold information on deprivation in Wales.

Fire Services

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was spent on the fire and rescue service per 100,000 of the population in each local authority area in England and Wales in the last 12 months.

Sadiq Khan: Provisional outturn net current expenditure in 2007-08 on the fire and rescue services per 100,000 of the population in each local authority in England is given in the following table. Fire and rescue services in Wales are the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly Government.
	
		
			   £000 per 100,000 population 
			 Greater London Authority 5,849 
			   
			 Greater Manchester Fire and CD Authority 4,248 
			 Merseyside Fire and CD Authority 5,226 
			 South Yorkshire Fire and CD Authority 4,546 
			 Tyne and Wear Fire and CD Authority 5,252 
			 West Midlands Fire and CD Authority 4,571 
			 West Yorkshire Fire and CD Authority 3,843 
			   
			 Avon Combined Fire Authority 3,154 
			 Bedfordshire Combined Fire Authority 4,191 
			 Berkshire Combined Fire Authority 3,907 
			 Buckinghamshire Combined Fire Authority 3,923 
			 Cambridgeshire Combined Fire Authority 3,041 
			 Cheshire Combined Fire Authority 3,539 
			 Cleveland Combined Fire Authority 5,887 
			 Derbyshire Combined Fire Authority 3,449 
			 Devon and Somerset Combined Fire Authority 4,065 
			 Dorset Combined Fire Authority 3,337 
			 Durham Combined Fire Authority 4,825 
			 East Sussex Combined Fire Authority 4,779 
			 Essex Combined Fire Authority 4,080 
			 Hampshire Combined Fire Authority 3,645 
			 Hereford & Worcester Combined Fire Authority 3,974 
			 Humberside Combined Fire Authority 6,619 
			 Kent Combined Fire Authority 4,310 
			 Lancashire Combined Fire Authority 4,151 
			 Leicestershire Combined Fire Authority 3,181 
			 North Yorkshire Combined Fire Authority 3,899 
			 Nottinghamshire Combined Fire Authority 3,100 
			 Shropshire Combined Fire Authority 4,054 
			 Staffordshire Combined Fire Authority 3,659 
			 Wiltshire Combined Fire Authority 3,634 
			   
			  County councils  
			 Cornwall 3,737 
			 Cumbria 3,930 
			 Gloucestershire 3,691 
			 Hertfordshire 3,754 
			 Lincolnshire 4,102 
			 Norfolk 3,763 
			 Northamptonshire 3,425 
			 Northumberland 5,378 
			 Oxfordshire 3,789 
			 Somerset(1) 133 
			 Suffolk 3,203 
			 Surrey 4,012 
			 Warwickshire 4,336 
			 West Sussex 4,341 
			 Isles of Scilly 15,867 
			   
			  Unitary authority  
			 Isle of Wight UA 5,124 
			 1. Fire and rescue responsibility was transferred from Somerset county council to Devon and Somerset Combined Fire Authority on 1 April 2007. Sources: Communities and Local Government provisional Revenue Outturn (RO) returns. Population figures used in the calculation are the Office for National Statistics' (ONS) Mid-Year Population estimates for 2007. 
		
	
	The current expenditure defined here is the cost of running local authority services within the financial year. This includes the costs of staffing, heating, lighting and cleaning, together with expenditure on goods and services consumed within the year. This expenditure is offset by income from sales, fees and charges and other (non-grant) income, to give net current expenditure.

Government Office Transformation Board

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what projects are being carried out by the Government Office Transformation Board, as referred to on page 16 of her Department's Annual Report 2008; and what the budget is of each project.

Sadiq Khan: The Government Office network established a transformational change programme to implement the recommendations of the Government Office review which was commissioned by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and HM Treasury and published in March 2006. The projects in the programme are set out as follows:
	Business Operating Model: identifying the most effective operating model to deliver the new roles identified in the review;
	Regional Governance: establishing effective mechanisms within the network to support the new Regional Select Committees, Council of Regional Ministers and Regional Economic Council;
	European Structural Fund Programmes: to deliver effective closure of the 2000-06 European regional development fund (ERDF) and European social fund (ESF) programmes and implement the GO role on the programmes which commenced in 2007;
	Transformation of Communications: to identify and implement a highly professional and effective communications function across the network;
	People Strategy and Culture: identifying and implementing the human resources processes, skills and behaviours required to support the new GO network roles;
	Analytical and Delivery Capability: defining and implementing the capabilities required to enable the network to deliver its new roles; and
	Influencing Whitehall: strengthening the skills and processes across the network to enable it to engage effectively in policy development and evaluation.
	Budgets have not been allocated to each project. I would refer the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne to my answer on 29 October 2008,  Official Report, columns 1134-35W, which states that the regional co-ordination unit of the Government Office network has a local budget of £288,500 for 2008-09 for planned projects within the programme. Other costs are borne from within individual Government Office and regional co-ordination unit resource allocations.

Liverpool Corporation Act 1902

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent representations she has received on the operation of the Liverpool Corporation Act 1902 in relation to the  (a) status and  (b) proposed sale in part of Lever Park, Chorley.

Sadiq Khan: holding answer 4 November 2008
	I understand one letter of representation has been received. A response was sent on behalf of the Secretary of State on 3 October 2008.

Liverpool Corporation Act 1902

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what functions of the former Local Government Board her Department exercises for the purposes of determining disputes under section 21 of the Liverpool Corporation Act 1902; and if she will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him today (PQ 233001).

Local Authorities: Land

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which of the functions of the former Local Government Board are exercised by her Department in respect of the determination of disputes between  (a) local authorities and  (b) owners of land vested in those authorities.

Sadiq Khan: The functions of the Local Government Board, which were transferred to Ministers by the Ministry of Health Act 1919, are currently exercisable by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (save for some health functions and functions applicable to Wales).

Local Government: Labour Turnover

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the number of local government workers who left their employment with between two and five years experience in  (a) 2005,  (b) 2006,  (c) 2007 and  (d) 2008 to date.

Hazel Blears: The information is not collected centrally.

Mayor of London

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many meetings Ministers in her Department have had with the Mayor of London since his election.

Sadiq Khan: Ministers in this Department have met the new Mayor of London five times since his election.

Non-Domestic Rates: Ports

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 15 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1410W, on non-domestic rates: ports, with which port tenants  (a) she and  (b) her officials have had discussions since May 2006.

John Healey: There have been a range of meetings which some port operators and tenants have attended. There have also been a number of representations from port operators, port occupiers, local authorities and hon. Members. We are urgently exploring options for mitigating the financial impact on businesses facing immediate payment of significant backdated liabilities.

Non-Domestic Rates: Ports

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 15 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1410W, on non-domestic rates: ports,  (a) which port operators and  (b) how many port tenants were advised of the review of ports in May 2006.

John Healey: The letter from the Valuation Office in May 2006 regarding the review of ports was sent to the operators of the 55 large statutory ports and container terminals in England and Wales, requesting details of the occupiers. The port occupiers were then individually contacted once their identity and the need to review their particular circumstances was established.

Performance Appraisal

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many staff in her Department did not achieve an acceptable assessment grade in their annual report in the latest reporting year for which figures are available.

Sadiq Khan: For the performance management review round 2007-08, 12 staff (across all grades) did not receive an acceptable performance assessment grade.

Planning Permission

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many cases related to planning disputes were referred to the Local Government Ombudsman in  (a) 2005,  (b) 2006 and  (c) 2007.

John Healey: The local government ombudsmen publish their statistics in financial years (April to March). The number of planning complaints received by the local government ombudsmen in the years requested are as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			  (a) 2005-06 4,487 
			  (b) 2006-07 4,215 
			  (c) 2007-08 3,836

Written Questions: Government Responses

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many Questions for written answer were tabled to her Department and its predecessors in Session  (a) 2002-03,  (b) 2003-04,  (c) 2004-05,  (d) 2005-06,  (e) 2006-07 and  (f) 2007-08 to date; and how many were (i) answered substantively and (ii) not answered on grounds of disproportionate cost.

Sadiq Khan: The number of written parliamentary questions received in each parliamentary session since 2002-03 by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and its predecessor Department the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) is tabled as follows:
	
		
			  Session  Total number of written parliamentary questions 
			 2002-03 2,822 
			 2003-04 3,142 
			 2004-05 1,333 
			 2005-06 (1)6,057 
			 2006-07 (2)4,055 
			 2007-08 (3)5,122 
			 (1) Includes questions tabled to the ODPM prior to 5 May 2006 and questions tabled to the DCLG and the Minister for Women and Equality from 5 May 2006 to 8 November 2006. (2) Includes questions tabled to the DCLG and the Minister for Women and Equality for the period 15 November 2006 to 30 June 2007 and for the DCLG only in the period 1 July 2007 to 30 October 2007. (3) Up to 11 November 2008. 
		
	
	Information on how many questions received a substantive answer or were not answered on disproportionate cost grounds is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Nuclear Energy

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on the use of nuclear energy.

Mike O'Brien: Nuclear power currently provides around 15 per cent. of our electricity.
	New nuclear power stations are an essential part of the energy mix needed to hit climate change targets and provide secure and affordable generation.

Clean Coal

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to promote the development of clean coal technology.

Mike O'Brien: The Government are promoting clean coal technology by:
	Support for technology advancement—including for one of the world's first commercial scale demonstrations of the full chain of carbon, capture and storage, demonstration of a 40 MW Oxyfuel combustion system, and increasing research and development activity across a range of clean coal technologies.
	We are also setting the legislative framework by for example legislating for the storage of CO2 and developing policies to back the widespread deployment of CCS.

Kyoto Protocol

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Kyoto Protocol in driving reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Miliband: The Kyoto protocol has helped drive reductions in emissions in a number of countries, but if the world is to stop dangerous climate change, we need a more comprehensive agreement, covering all countries with deeper cuts in emissions. That is what we are working towards in Copenhagen in December 2009 and Britain is determined to play its part, through our actions at home and our work internationally to secure agreement.

Fuel Poverty: North-West Leicestershire

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent representations he has received on the number of people living in fuel poverty in North West Leicestershire; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: The most recently available sub-regional split of fuel poverty relates to 2003 and shows that in north-west Leicestershire there were around 2,300 fuel poor households. At that time, there were around two million households living in fuel poverty in the UK.

Carbon Capture and Storage

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the timetable is for awarding the contract for the carbon capture and storage demonstration plant; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: We aim to move to the next stage of the competition by the end of the year. The timetable published when the competition was launched suggested on a provisional basis that a Preferred Bidder would be selected in the mid part of next year. We are working towards an operational project in 2014.

Gas Storage

Andrew MacKay: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the current capacity of UK gas storage facilities is; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The UK currently has 4.4 billion cubic metres of working storage capacity, with an additional 420 million cubic meters of capacity expected to commission in 2008-09. Potential future projects (under construction or proposed) amount to some 15 billion cubic meters. The Government are encouraging investment in gas storage through reforms to the planning and consents framework in the Planning and Energy Bills, now before the House.

Meat and Dairy Consumption

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with colleagues in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation's assessment of the effects of meat and dairy consumption on greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.

Joan Ruddock: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I continue to work closely with DEFRA and international organisations to establish the extent to which all points in the meat production chain contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Nuclear Generation

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent representations he has received on the construction of nuclear power facilities and electricity generation by such facilities; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The siting of new nuclear power stations is subject to the strategic siting assessment criteria and process. Energy companies will fail to receive substantial investment in new nuclear power stations in Scotland while the Scottish Executive upholds its current policy to oppose new build in Scotland. Both current jobs and long-term employment potential is affected by this decision.

Energy Market: Ofgem Report

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on Ofgem's recent report on the energy market.

Mike O'Brien: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had discussions with ministerial colleagues on many issues, including on Ofgem's initial findings and proposals from its probe into the energy markets.

Customer Supply

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what mechanisms are in place to ensure the continuation of supply to a customer in circumstances where an energy company fails.

Mike O'Brien: Ofgem licences for suppliers who sell gas or electricity directly to consumers include arrangements that allow Ofgem to appoint a "supplier of last resort", thus enabling continuity of supply if a company fails. They allow Ofgem to direct another supplier to take on the contracts of the failed supplier and thereby enable continuity of supply to consumers. This is what happened in the recent case where E4B went into administration.

Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what progress has been made on the Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The Feasibility Study was announced in September 2007 and the terms of reference were published in January 2008. Contracts were let to undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment, and to provide advice on technical and engineering issues, on potential project ownership structure and financing, and on regional economic and energy market impacts. Following input from stakeholders, the feasibility study published a list of 10 potential schemes in July this year and has been assessing in broad terms the costs, benefits and impacts of the long list of potential schemes. This work will feed into an internal review, which will take place at the end of this year. Subject to that review, we will launch in the new year a public consultation to invite views on the scope of the strategic environmental assessment and on which of the 10 proposals will be short-listed for more detailed assessment in 2009. Advisory and scoping reports produced for the feasibility study will be published with the consultation paper.

Energy Efficiency

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what schemes the Government operates to promote energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: The Government have put in place a comprehensive framework of policies and measures to promote energy efficiency across all sectors of the economy, including the recent announcement by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister of a new £1 billion package of measures to deliver lasting improvements in energy efficiency to help families permanently cut their energy bills.

Community Energy Saving Schemes

John Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of community energy saving schemes; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: In 2001, a three-year Government sponsored pilot project was launched to reduce fuel poverty on a local area basis. An evaluation of the pilot highlighted actions required for the area-based approach to be successful. The pilot evolved into the Warm Zones initiative which has continued across some areas, with the original concept being extended to include broader energy efficiency activity. The Community Energy Efficiency Fund built on these experiences and in September 2007 funded 49 individual projects across the country. A full evaluation will be undertaken in the future to see the impact these projects have had.
	We are currently discussing the Community Energy Savings Programme with stakeholders and will consult on the detail of the programme in due course.

Energy: EC Action

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent meetings Ministers and officials from his Department have held with the Government of Sweden to discuss the energy and climate change priorities of the Swedish Presidency of the European Union.

Mike O'Brien: There have been no meetings between Department of Energy and Climate Change Ministers or officials and the Government of Sweden to discuss these issues since the Department of Energy and Climate Change was established on 3 October.

Industrial Diseases: Compensation

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change for what average length of time coalminers in Scotland with outstanding compensation claims have been waiting to receive their payments.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 6 November 2008
	The following table provides the average time from receipt of claim to date for those claims from Scotland not yet settled under the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and vibration white finger (VWF) schemes:
	
		
			  Policy  Outstanding claims  Average months outstanding 
			 COPD 7,107 65 
			 VWF 107 91 
		
	
	The Department continues to seek to resolve outstanding claims as quickly and fairly as possible consistent with the requirements of the claims handling arrangements for each scheme. We expect remaining VWF cases to be completed in early 2009 and the majority of COPD cases to be settled by autumn 2009.

Jeddah Oil Conference

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  what date has been set for the London follow-up to the Jeddah oil conference;
	(2)  what plans he has made for the London follow-up to the Jeddah oil conference; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 11 November 2008
	The London Energy Meeting, which follows up the Jeddah Meeting held in June this year, is scheduled for 19 December.

OFGEM: Finance

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the budget is for Ofgem's regulatory activities in each of the next three financial years.

Mike O'Brien: Ofgem's budget for the next three years is:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 2009-10 35.4 
			 2010-11 35.8 
			 2011-12 36.7

Renewable Energy

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he expects to publish the responses to the Government's consultation on a new renewable energy strategy.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 11 November 2008
	We expect to publish the responses to the Renewable Energy Strategy consultation early in the new year.

JUSTICE

Airwave Service

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what organisations for which his Department is responsible  (a) use and  (b) are planning to use Airwave handsets.

Michael Wills: Airwave handsets are currently used in a limited number of areas within Her Majesty's Prison Service. There are no current plans to extend the use of the Airwave Service to other areas of the Ministry of Justice.

Community Orders: Enforcement

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what guidance is issued to local probation services for the implementation and enforcement of community orders.

David Hanson: It is important that community orders are enforced and it remains a key priority for Government. Guidance is issued to probation services for the implementation and enforcement of community orders through the publication of national standards and through the publication of periodic and specialist guidance in probation circulars. The most recent update for the management of offenders was published in 2007 and issued to all probation areas. This outlines the actions and time scales to be applied to the implementation and enforcement of community orders.

Departmental Manpower

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what projections his Department has made of reductions in staff numbers owing to  (a) natural wastage,  (b) early retirement,  (c) voluntary redundancy and  (d) compulsory redundancy by 2011 for the purposes of his Department's plans for the Comprehensive Spending Review; how many agency staff and contractors his Department retains at present; and how many he expects to retain in 2011.

Maria Eagle: The 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review required us to reduce our spending by over £1 billion by 2011. We are working hard to develop robust plans to streamline our business, cutting out unnecessary overheads and non-essential projects to remove duplication of effort and increase efficiency. The Department is currently conducting the necessary due diligence on its initial scoping work and we cannot yet provide accurate information on workforce projections. However, our approach to the use of agency staff and contractors will be to limit their use to essential tasks only and where it is cost effective for the Department to employ them, rather than permanent members of staff.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what provision for restructuring has been made in his Department's financial plan for the 2008-11 Comprehensive Spending Review.

Maria Eagle: The MoJ settlement received in the last Comprehensive Spending Review meant that the MoJ would have to absorb cost of living increases and other upward pressures equivalent to approximately £1 billion over the three year period. Ministers and the Management Board have been working to put in place plans to achieve the savings which are necessary. In doing this, our overall approach has been to capitalise on the synergies and the opportunities created by the merger of two large parts of Government to form the MoJ. We intend to do so in particular through increasing efficiency, removal of duplication and new ways of working while continuing to prioritise the delivery of effective frontline services.

Housing: Sales

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will make it his policy to collect and publish data on the number of forced sales of people's homes approved by the courts; and if he will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: Court staff record information about orders for sale onto the main administrative systems in the county courts as part of their routine daily administrative duties. However, the orders for sale are recorded using a general order field and as such are not identifiable from other orders made. Changing the administrative systems to create a specific 'order for sale' event would incur prohibitive costs.

Land Registry

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to ensure that the Land Registry launches a proper public consultation before the destruction of any original documents and deeds.

Michael Wills: Land Registry has no plans to conduct further public consultation before it proceeds with the planned destruction of the documents referred to in my previous answers on 30 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1300W, and 6 November 2008,  Official Report, column 749W. As previously stated Land Registry conducted comprehensive consultation during development of the current legislation over five years ago and publicised the changes prior to implementation of the revised rules in 2003.
	Land Registry will further publicise its actions through a press release, a notice on its website and a notice to key stakeholders. Land Registry will not destroy any documents connected with applications held on 13 October 2003 until three months after the issuing of this additional publicity.

Land Registry

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much the Land Registry has spent on consulting the public on its plans to destroy original deeds and documents in the last two years.

Michael Wills: Land Registry has not completed any dedicated consultation exercises on its plans to destroy original deeds and documents within the last two years. Consultation relating to this area was conducted as part of a wider exercise prior to the introduction of the revised Land Registration Rules in 2003.

National Offender Management Service: Drugs

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when the new National Offender Management Service drug strategy will be published.

David Hanson: The Government plan to publish the new National Offender Management Service drug strategy before the end of 2008 and will place a copy in the Library of the House.

National Offender Management Service: Recruitment

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is taking to ensure that all grades of staff in the National Offender Management service have a balanced representation drawn from the prison and probation services.

David Hanson: Posts in the National Offender Management Service Agency must be filled in line with Cabinet Office rules for filling appointments.
	As the Agency is responsible for Prison and National Probation Services delivery it is important that there is representation from both services at all levels. The Agency's Director General is responsible for ensuring that appropriate knowledge and expertise is in place across all grades of staff.

Offenders

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what the throughput of offenders on accredited programmes  (a) in custody and  (b) in the community in 2007-08 was;
	(2)  what the completion rates for accredited programmes taken by offenders  (a) in custody and  (b) in the community were in 2007-08; and what the targets for completion were;
	(3)  what targets he has set for completion of accredited programmes  (a) in custody and  (b) in the community in 2008-09.

David Hanson: The requested information is contained in the following tables.
	
		
			  Throughput of offenders on accredited programmes in 2007-08 
			  2007-08  Throughput 
			  (a) Custody (1)20,253 
			  (b) Community (2)25,336 
			 (1) The number of offenders who completed or failed to complete an accredited programme in custody. (2) The number of offenders who commenced an accredited programme in the community. 
		
	
	
		
			  Completion targets and completions for accredited programmes in 2007-08 
			  2007-08  Target  Completions 
			  (a) Custody 14,567 16,768 
			  (b) Community 17,349 18,451 
		
	
	
		
			  Completion targets for accredited programmes in 2008-09 
			  2008-09  Completion target 
			  (a) Custody 14,970 
			  (b) Community 16,191 
		
	
	These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.

Offenders

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for what reason offenders on community supervision experience the end-to-end offender management established through the Gate Practices and Protocols.

Shahid Malik: The Offender Management model ensures a high level of consistency throughout an offender's whole sentence, both in custody and under supervision in the community. This supports continuity of progress in achievement of the aims of the court both for sentences with a custodial element and those without.

Office of the Public Guardian

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) complaints and  (b) other representations he has received on the operation of the Office of the Public Guardian from (i) members of the public and (ii) solicitors in the last 12 months.

Bridget Prentice: Since the creation of the Office of the Public Guardian on 1 October 2007 215 complaints or other representations on the operation of the Office of the Public Guardian have been received at ministerial level. Of these 199 were received from members of the public, or through their Member of Parliament, and 16 were received from solicitors.

Office of the Public Guardian

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent assessment he has made of the performance of the Office of the Public Guardian in offering services to members of the public.

Bridget Prentice: During July and August the OPG cleared a backlog of applications due to exceptionally high volume and by the end of August was dealing with all new applications within the expected end-to-end target of nine weeks (including the statutory six week waiting period) as per its published service standards.
	The backlog of applications processed in July and August reached the final stage of the registration process throughout September and early October. During this period, the final stage of the process—notifying customers their LPA had been registered—slipped slightly to take up to two weeks instead of the one week target. However, since mid-October all such notifications have been issued within the one week target and the end- to-end process is again back within the nine week target.
	We continue to monitor volumes in this area of work closely as they continue to remain high and are actively looking at ways to build additional contingency within the system to accommodate any further increases in volumes.

Prisons: Drugs

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisons in England and Wales have implemented the integrated drug treatment system.

David Hanson: As at 1 September 2008, of the 53 prisons in the first and second waves of Integrated Drug Treatment System (IDTS), 49 were assessed as delivering an operational service providing all key elements of IDTS clinical services.

Rape: Compensation

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 28 October 2008,  Official Report, column 717W, on the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, what guidance is in place on the payment of compensation to victims of rape by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

Maria Eagle: The payment of compensation to victims of all violent crime is governed by the provisions of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2008. Guidance on the payment of compensation to victims of all types of violent crime is contained in the booklet "A Guide to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2008", which is available to all applicants on request. Further guidance is also available on CICA's website:
	www.cica.gov.uk
	Those applications received before 3 November 2008 will be considered under the 2001 scheme and its accompanying guidance.

Vandalism: Hertfordshire

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people in Hemel Hempstead were given  (a) immediate fines,  (b) compensation orders and  (c) cautions for acts of vandalism in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: Data on the number of persons issued with  (a) penalty notices for disorder or 'on the spot' fines for criminal damage amounting to less than £500, which includes acts of vandalism, in Hertfordshire in the last three years are set out in the following table. The offence of criminal damage was added to the PND scheme in November 2004
	The court proceedings and cautions data held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform do not enable offences involving vandalism to be separately identified from other acts of "Criminal Damage".
	It is not possible to further break down data to constituency level (i.e. Hemel Hempstead) as this level of detail is not held centrally.
	Penalty notices for disorder data for 2007 will be available at the end of November 2008.
	
		
			  N umber of persons aged 16 and over issued with a penalty notice for disorder for the offence Criminal Damage (under £500) in Hertfordshire police force area, 2004 to 2006( 1,)( )( 2,)( )( 3) 
			   Criminal Damage (under £500)( 2) 
			 2004 12 
			 2005 148 
			 2006 751 
			 (1) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care-should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken Into account when those data are used. (2) Offence is a notifiable offence included within OBTJ figures. (3) Penalty notices for disorder came into force in November 2004.  Source: Office for Criminal Justice Reform—Evidence and Analysis Unit

Vandalism: Suffolk

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many people in Suffolk have been given  (a) immediate fines,  (b) compensation orders and (c) cautions for acts of vandalism in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many people in Suffolk have been given  (a) immediate fines,  (b) compensation orders and  (c) cautions for acts of violent crime in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: Data on the number of persons issued with  (a) penalty notices for disorder or 'on the spot' fines for criminal damage amounting to less than £500, which includes acts of vandalism, in Suffolk in the last three years are set out in table 1. The offence of criminal damage was added to the PND scheme in November 2004.
	The court proceedings and cautions data held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform do not enable offences involving vandalism to be separately identified, from other acts of "Criminal Damage".
	Data on the number of persons issued with a  (b) compensation order  (c) caution for violence against the person in Suffolk in the least five years can be viewed in tables 2 and 3 respectively. Violence against the person offence data are the measure used by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform to represent violent crime.
	Penalty notices for disorder are not available for offences involving violence.
	These data are on the principal offence basis. The figures given in the following tables relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offence for which they were dealt with. When an offender is dealt with more than one offence at the same time, the offence selected is the one for which the heaviest penalty is imposed, then the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
	Court proceedings and cautions data for 2007 will be available at the end of November 2008.
	
		
			  Table 1:  N umber of persons aged 16 and over, issued with a penalty notice for disorder for the offence criminal damage (under £500), in Suffolk police force area, 2004 to 2006( 1,)( )( 2,)( )( 3) —offence code DA11 
			   Criminal Damage (under £500)( 2) 
			 2004 14 
			 2005 91 
			 2006 140 
			 (1) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (2) Offence is a notifiable offence included within OBTJ figures. (3) Penalty notices for disorder came into force in November 2004. Source: Office for Criminal Justice Reform 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2:  N umber of persons sentenced at all courts with a compensation order for offences relating to violence against the person in Suffolk police force area, 2002 to 2006( 1,)( )( 2,)( )( 3) 
			   Compensation orders 
			 2002 113 
			 2003 133 
			 2004 124 
			 2005 154 
			 2006 165 
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.  Source: Court proceedings data held by Office for Criminal Justice Reform—Evidence and Analysis Unit 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3:  N umber of persons issued with a caution for violence against the person, in Suffolk police force area, 2002 to 2006( 1,)( )( 2,)( )( 3) 
			   Violence against the person 
			 2002 492 
			 2003 653 
			 2004 700 
			 2005 811 
			 2006 919 
			 (1) From 1 June 2000 the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into force nationally and removed the use of cautions for persons under 18 and replaced them with reprimands and final warnings. These figures have been included in the totals. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) The cautions statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been cautioned for two or more offences at the same time the principal offence is the more serious offence.  Source: Office for Criminal Justice Reform—Evidence and Analysis Unit

Young Offenders: Remand in Custody

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) 15,  (b) 16 and  (c) 17 year olds were on remand in each police force area in each year since 1997; and how many went on to serve a prison sentence.

David Hanson: The number of 15 to 17-year-olds held on remand (incorporating untried and convicted unsentenced) in all prison establishments in England and Wales since 1997 can be found in the following table. A breakdown by police force area is not available.
	
		
			   1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			  Males and females on remand
			 Aged 15 74 86 44 51 48 59 37 52 52 59 63 
			 Aged 16 171 183 155 114 98 154 121 118 121 134 133 
			 Aged 17 561 508 513 409 312 305 314 340 313 380 348 
			 
			  Males on remand
			 Aged 15 74 86 44 51 48 59 37 52 52 59 63 
			 Aged 16 171 183 155 114 98 154 121 117 121 134 133 
			 Aged 17 543 491 494 389 287 293 294 322 298 361 329 
			 
			  Females on remand
			 Aged 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Aged 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Aged 17 8 17 19 20 25 12 20 19 15 19 19 
		
	
	The following table gives the percentage of prisoners of all ages held on remand(1) where the outcome of the court proceeding was an immediate custodial sentence. This information is not available for 15 to 17-year-olds separately, and the 2007 data are not yet available.
	(1) Includes persons remanded in custody by magistrates during proceedings or on committal.
	
		
			   2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			  Immediate custody (percentage)
			 Male 48 51 50 49 42 53 54 
			 Female 36 42 41 40 41 43 45 
		
	
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Young Offenders: Reoffenders

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many persistent young offenders are registered; how many offences have been recorded where the offender was a persistent young offender in each year since 1997; and what percentage of total offences in each police force area in England and Wales this represents.

David Hanson: Statistics relating to Persistent Young Offenders (PYOs) are designed to measure the speed and efficiency of the youth justice system; through monitoring the pledge to halve the average time from arrest to sentence for dealing with PYOs in England and Wales from 142 days in 1996 to 71 days.
	They are not designed to measure overall trends in youth crime, and will give a significantly misleading picture of the true trend if used for this purpose.
	This is because the definition of a PYO relies on there being multiple sentencing occasions for a single offender during a limited time period. Young offenders are now being dealt with twice as quickly as they were prior to 1997, which means that there are much shorter intervals between sentencing occasions for those youths who repeatedly offend. Youth sentencing is therefore more timely, and for repeat offenders more frequent, than it used to be prior to 1997. Therefore, a side-effect of the Government's success in bringing much swifter justice to young repeat offenders is that more of them end up being defined as PYOs.
	There were 15,945 PYOs registered over the last 12 months for which finalised figures are available (September 2007-August 2008). In answer to the remainder of the question, I refer the hon. Member to my reply on 22 July 2008,  Official Report, columns 1378-86W.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcoholic Drinks: Prosecutions

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been prosecuted for selling alcohol to an intoxicated person since the Licensing Act 2003 was implemented.

Alan Campbell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 4 June 2008,  Official Report, column 1044W.

Alcoholic Drinks: Public Places

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been fined for refusing  (a) to surrender alcohol in a public place and  (b) a police officer's order to stop drinking in the last 12 months.

Alan Campbell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 29 April 2008,  Official Report, column 325W.

Crime Prevention

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government have taken to encourage the development of innovative technology to prevent crime; and what steps it intends to take.

Alan Campbell: The Home Office Scientific Development Branch works to develop innovative scientific and technological responses to help in the prevention and detection of crime, collaborating with industry and academia. The Home Office also recently announced a three year contract with the Design Council to deliver a programme of work to stimulate innovation in industry to design out crime.

Crimes Against Humanity: Entry Clearances

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Buckingham of 14 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1072W, on crimes against humanity, how many of the people whose cases were investigated were refused entry into the UK  (a) as a result of the investigation and  (b) for other reasons.

Phil Woolas: The UK Border Agency War Crimes Team does not collate statistics that relate solely to crimes against humanity. 16 per cent. of cases referred to the War Crimes Team in the last four years have resulted in recommendations for further immigration action. The role of the team is to make inquiries and recommendations for further action on cases referred to it from teams across the Agency. Between 2004 and October 2008 the War Crimes Team has been notified of 138 adverse decisions made following their recommendations. This will include decisions to refuse entry, indefinite leave to remain and naturalisation, and exclusions from refugee protection. It is not possible to break this down further into separate decision categories without incurring disproportionate costs.
	These figures are not provided under National Statistics protocols and have been derived from local management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change.

Departmental ICT

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 17 September 2008,  Official Report, column 2256W, on departmental ICT, what the  (a) contents and  (b) security classifications were of the lost and stolen laptops.

Phil Woolas: We are unable to obtain the information because to do so would incur disproportionate costs.

Departmental ICT

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department spent on upgrading its IT in each of the last three financial years.

Phil Woolas: Upgrading of the Home Office IT systems is an integral part of the contracts we hold with our IT providers and is not costed separately, hence it is not feasible to provide a total budget figure.

Deportation: Democratic Republic of Congo

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the Government's policy is on removing failed asylum seekers to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Phil Woolas: The Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT) found in a determination dated 18 December 2007 that failed asylum seekers are not at risk of persecution or ill-treatment on return to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). On 23 April 2008, the appellant was granted permission to appeal the AIT determination to the Court of Appeal.
	We firmly believe that the AIT's determination is correct and that there is no risk in enforcing the return of failed asylum seekers to the DRC. However, after careful consideration of all relevant factors, we have decided to temporarily defer all enforced removals of failed asylum seekers to the DRC until the Court of Appeal have handed down their judgment.
	Once the Courts have settled their decision on the safety of DRC for failed asylum seekers, we will reconsider our position on enforced returns.

Deportation: Somalia

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her Department's policy is on the removal of unsuccessful asylum seekers to Somalia.

Phil Woolas: All asylum claims, including those from Somali nationals, are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the European Convention on Human Rights against the background of the latest country information and relevant caselaw.
	The UK Border Agency will only enforce the return of individuals who they, and the courts, are satisfied are not in need of international protection and who do not elect to leave voluntarily.

Dispersal Orders

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many dispersal orders were issued by each police force in each year since the introduction of such orders.

Alan Campbell: 1,065 areas were designated under section 30 of the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 between 1 January 2004 and 31 March 2006 and this information broken down by police force area is enclosed in the following table. Information on the number of designated areas for the period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2008 will be published shortly.
	
		
			  Force  Number of areas designated (January 2004 to March 2006) 
			 Avon and Somerset 30 
			 Bedfordshire 29 
			 Cambridgeshire 31 
			 Cheshire 1 
			 City of London (1)— 
			 Cleveland 30 
			 Cumbria 2 
			 Derbyshire 22 
			 Devon and Cornwall 49 
			 Dorset 31 
			 Durham 2 
			 Dyfed Powys (1)— 
			 Essex 24 
			 Gloucestershire 1 
			 Greater Manchester 45 
			 Gwent 6 
			 Hampshire 69 
			 Hertfordshire 20 
			 Humberside 15 
			 Kent 73 
			 Lancashire 18 
			 Leicestershire 30 
			 Lincolnshire 4 
			 Merseyside 70 
			 Metropolitan Police (2)— 
			 Norfolk 18 
			 North Wales 16 
			 North Yorkshire 6 
			 Northamptonshire 67 
			 Northumbria 3 
			 Nottinghamshire 40 
			 South Wales 2 
			 South Yorkshire 16 
			 Staffordshire 30 
			 Suffolk 5 
			 Surrey 33 
			 Sussex 35 
			 Thames Valley 6 
			 Warwickshire 22 
			 West Midlands 123 
			 West Yorkshire 22 
			 West Mercia (2)— 
			 Wiltshire 19 
			 Total 1,065 
			 (1) No areas designated (2) No data provided.

Drug Seizures

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration she has given to publishing information on drugs seizures below the national level.

Alan Campbell: The Home Office does currently collect and publish information on drug seizures below the national level. For information, the latest bulletin Seizures of Drugs in England and Wales, 2006-07 was published on 30 October 2008. Alongside this publication, additional tables were published which include data specific to police force area and Government office region. The publication and the tables are available at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/drug-seizures.html

Drug Seizures

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many seizures of  (a) methamphetamine,  (b) cannabis and  (c) heroin have been made by (i) police and (ii) HM Customs in each year since 1997; and what quantity was seized in each year.

Alan Campbell: The available data are given in the following table.
	Seizures for methamphetamine are included within the classification 'Other Class A' (injection) and 'Other Class B' (non-injection) in publications. These seizures cannot be extracted from these classifications prior to the most recently published year, 2006-07.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number and quantity1 of seizures made by Police and HM Revenue and Customs, by drug type and year: England and Wales 
			   Number and quantity of seizures 
			  Drug type  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006-07( 2) 
			  Police Forces   
			
			  Numbers   
			 Heroin 10,444 12,593 12,644 12,971 14,517 12,543 10,460 10,980 13,243 13,141 
			 Cannabis 73,450 86,540 92,210 78,350 73,220 74,250 79,600 74,613 111,212 133,195 
			 Methamphetamine(3)(kg) — — — — — — — — — 49 
			
			  Quantities   
			 Heroin (kg) 421 319 1,292 1,946 2,682 1,595 1,038 1.131 770 473 
			 Cannabis (kg) 68,978 13,856 12,377 36,754 27,194 12,480 41,770 24,465 27,950 5,036 
			 Cannabis plants 77,573 70,017 53,058 45,462 67,679 52,118 80,498 88,674 208,357 344,360 
			 Methamphetamine(3)(kg) — — — — — — — — — 235 
			
			  HM Revenue and Customs   
			
			  Numbers   
			 Heroin 59 83 84 170 112 89 109 94 88 64 
			 Cannabis 858 1,019 1,707 3,285 3,310 3,977 3,152 2,869 2,990 3,932 
			 Methamphetamine(3)(kg) — — — — — — — — — 5 
			  Quantities   
			 Heroin (kg) 1418 138 148 1,383 1,314 1,020 1,619 978 1,094 530 
			 Cannabis (kg) 2,955 5,751 16,825 35,302 62,737 63,807 56,776 58,982 41,660 40,364 
			 Cannabis plants — — — — 16 21 — — — — 
			 Methamphetamine(3)(kg) — — — — — — — — — 0.1 
			 (1) Drugs can be seized in a variety of forms or preparation types. In this table, quantities of drugs have been converted to weights (kg) or plants. In order to convert seizures to comparable units, conversion factors are applied to estimate the overall quantity for that drug. New conversion factors were introduced in 2005, in consultation with the Forensic Science Service. (2) Reporting of drug seizures have been moved to a financial year basis from 2006-07 to be comparable with other crime publications (3) Seizures of methamphetamine are included in Other Class A (injection) or Other Class B (non-injection) in published tables. Methamphetamine seizures cannot be extracted from these classifications prior to 2006-07.

Drugs: Crime

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of those accused of  (a) possession of and  (b) dealing in cannabis were (i) found not guilty, (ii) fined and (iii) imprisoned in each year since 2006.

Alan Campbell: Data showing the number of defendants proceeded against, found not guilty, fined and imprisoned (and respective percentage rates of the number proceeded against) for possession and dealing in cannabis in England and Wales 1997 to 2006 are in the following table.
	Information on the number accused is not held by my Department, proceeded against data have been supplied in lieu.
	Data for 2007 will be available at the end of November 2008.
	The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offence for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
	
		
			  Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found not guilty, fined and imprisoned at all courts for possession and dealing( 1)  in cannabis, England and Wales, 1997 to 2006( 2,3) 
			Found not guilty  Fined  Immediate custody 
			   Proceeded against  Number  Percentage of those proceeded against  Number  Percentage of those proceeded against  Number  Percentage of those proceeded against 
			  1997
			 Possession of cannabis 18,940 1,665 9 11,890 63 268 1 
			 Dealing in cannabis 5,063 1,150 23 357 7 1,779 35 
			 
			  1998
			 Possession of cannabis 24,395 1,752 7 15,503 64 410 2 
			 Dealing in cannabis 5,053 963 19 399 8 1,940 38 
			 
			  1999
			 Possession of cannabis 24,322 1,699 7 15,215 63 451 2 
			 Dealing in cannabis 4,497 1,083 24 313 7 1,685 37 
			 
			  2000
			 Possession of cannabis 22,304 1,578 7 13,638 61 361 2 
			 Dealing in cannabis 3,195 526 16 231 7 1,213 38 
			 
			  2001
			 Possession of cannabis 22,705 1,953 9 12,960 57 290 1 
			 Dealing in cannabis 2,593 622 24 160 6 883 34 
			 
			  2002
			 Possession of cannabis 25,976 2,321 9 14,123 54 241 1 
			 Dealing in cannabis 2,545 565 22 154 6 805 32 
			 
			  2003
			 Possession of cannabis 27,871 2,157 8 15,172 54 288 1 
			 Dealing in cannabis 2,790 798 29 144 5 697 25 
			 
			  2004
			 Possession of cannabis 14,646 1,326 9 6,972 48 161 1 
			 Dealing in cannabis 2,142 439 20 122 6 576 27 
			 
			  2005
			 Possession of cannabis 13,040 945 7 6,316 48 136 1 
			 Dealing in cannabis 2,176 790 36 87 4 407 19 
			 
			  2006
			 Possession of cannabis 13,450 914 7 6,368 47 141 1 
			 Dealing in cannabis 2,216 874 39 50 2 341 15 
			 (1) Includes supply and possession with intent to supply (2) These data are on the principal offence basis. The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offence for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, the offence selected is the one for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source: Evidence and Analysis Unit—Office for Criminal Justice Reform—Ministry of Justice IOS 554-08

Dungavel Detention Centre

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) families and  (b) children aged (i) under 18, (ii) under 16 and (iii) under 10 years old are detained at Dungavel Detention Centre; and how many people have been detained there in each of the last five years.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 3 November 2008
	On 30 October 2008 there was one family with no children in detention at Dungavel House
	On 30 October 2008, there were two children with their mother in detention at Dungavel House immigration removal centre. Children are only ever held with their parents and normally spend no longer than 72 hours in the centre.
	During 2006 there were 79 families with 162 children held in detention at Dungavel House. Of these, seven children were aged 16 to 18 years, 27 children were aged between 10 and 15 years, and 128 children were under 10 years old. During 2006 the average length of stay for children was three days.
	During 2007 there were 87 families with 184 children held in detention at Dungavel House. Of these, seven children were aged 16 to 18 years, 49 children were aged between 10 and 15 years, and 126 children were under 10 years old. During 2007 the average length of stay for children was three days.
	During 2008 to date there have been 67 families with 120 children held in detention at Dungavel House. Of these, four children were aged 16 to 18 years, 25 children were aged between 10 and 15 years and 91 children were under 10 years old. During this year to date the average length of stay for children has been three days.
	Before 2006 records of the age of children held at Dungavel House were not held. Records were kept on the number of families and children detained, and in 2005 there were 52 families with 96 children detained at Dungavel House, and in 2004 there were 61 families with 105 children.
	The figures given are based on management information rather than published statistics.

Gangmasters Licensing Authority: Cavendish Public Affairs

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what monetary payments the Gangmasters Licensing Authority has  (a) made and  (b) contracted to make, to Cavendish Public Affairs; and for what purposes.

Huw Irranca-Davies: I have been asked to reply.
	The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) has made two payments to Cavendish Public Affairs:
	1. £1,410.00 for preparing GLA personnel to provide evidence to the Home Affairs Committee's inquiry into human trafficking on 29 April 2008.
	2. £4,406.25 for helping the GLA to prepare a public affairs strategy for the Authority in June 2008.
	There is no current work contracted between the GLA and Cavendish Public Affairs.

Internet: Safety

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government has taken to improve internet safety.

Phil Woolas: The Prime Minister commissioned an independent review of the risks children face when using the internet and video games. This review 'Safer Children in a Digital World' was carried out by Dr. Tanya Byron and published in March 2008. The Government accepted all of the recommendations made in full.

Ipsos Mori

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what payments  (a) her Department and  (b) its agencies have made to Ipsos MORI in the last 24 months; and for what services the payments were made.

Phil Woolas: Information on the Home Department and its agencies payments to Ipsos MORI in the last 24 months is as follows:
	
		
			  Department/agency  Total payment in last  24 months (£) 
			 HO Headquarters and UKBA 1,256,896 
			 Identity and Passport Service (IPS) 107,659 
			 Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) 177,000 
		
	
	Ipsos MORI has provided a wide variety of services to the Home Office Headquarters and UKBA in the last 24 months. They include: Quarterly Opinion Polling on Crime and Immigration, facilitation of Young Witness Workshop, Local Victim and Witness Satisfaction Survey, Survey with Focus Group on Home Office Priorities, Arrestee Survey Review, Research conducted on Mapping Provision of Services for Young Victims of Crime, Polling on Citizenship, Public Opinion Polling on Attitudes to Immigration and Asylum, and Consultation for the Drugs Strategy. The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) used Ipsos MORI for the Staff Survey and research on ID Cards.
	The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) used Ipsos MORI for Staff, Public Awareness and Customer Surveys.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Airwave Service

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what organisations for which his Department is responsible  (a) use and  (b) are planning to use Airwave handsets.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department makes no use of Airwave handsets, nor is it planning to do so. The use or planned use of communications' solutions by the organisations sponsored by the Department is a matter for them and no central records are held at this time.

Children: Human Rights

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps he is taking to ensure that the operation of  (a) the Children Act 1989 and  (b) the Children and Adoption Act 2006 is compliant with Articles 6 and 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998 in respect of protecting a child's right to family life, where it is safe to do so; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: Under the Human Rights Act 1998 it is unlawful for a public authority, which includes local authorities, in their dealings with children and families, to act in a way which is incompatible with ECHR rights. A person who claims that a local authority has acted in a way which breaches their article 6 or 8 convention rights may take proceedings against that authority. A court in determining any case in which a question arises in relation to convention rights must take into account ECHR case law and so far as possible read and give effect to primary and secondary legislation in a way which is compatible with convention rights. Courts have confirmed the compatibility of the principles and practice in children cases with convention rights.

Early Years Foundation Stage

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much funding his Department has allocated for designing and promoting the new logo for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 10 November 2008
	The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework is not represented by a specific logo. However, we have used hexagons in pastel shades of blue, purple, green and orange for the EYFS statutory guidance document and associated EYFS material. This logo was created during the production of the original EYFS document in 2007, which was subsequently reprinted in 2008. The cost allocated for designing this logo was £317.30. There were no specific promotional activities relating to this logo.

Early Years Foundation Stage

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department has spent on training childcare staff to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 10 November 2008
	The Department has funded early years training, in particular Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) training, through both the School's Standard Fund and the General Sure Start Grant (GSSG). In addition to this, we provided a further £7 million during 2007-08 to support EYFS training for schools and practitioners in private, voluntary and independent settings. At the same time we enabled greater flexibility within the Transformation Fund to support its use for training on the EYFS for the private, voluntary and independent sector. Because of the way we fund through these broad grants, local authorities have discretion over how these funds are used at local level and therefore other programme funds may also have contributed, and continue to contribute, to training on the EYFS. Consequently, the Department does not hold information on the sums put towards early years training from these budgets.

Free School Meals

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when he expects the evaluation of pilots for free school meals for primary schools to be completed.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The right hon. Secretaries of State for Children, Schools and Families and for Health announced our intention to run the pilots in September 2008. The pilots will run for two years beginning in September 2009, with the option of extending into a third year. We are currently developing a robust evaluation strategy to support the pilots and it is too early to say, at this time, when a report will be available.

General Certificate of Secondary Education: Young Offenders

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many offenders in young offender institutions sat at least one  (a) GCSE and  (b) A level examination in each of the last six years.

Beverley Hughes: The Department does not collect data on the numbers of qualifications sat by young people in young offender institutions (YOIs).
	However, the roll-out of the Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) through the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) from 31 July 2006, means that some data on enrolments and achievements by young offenders within Prison Service run YOIs is now collected centrally. The data available are for 2006/07 only. Enrolments and achievements for juvenile offenders up to the age of 17 is as follows:
	
		
			  Number of young people 
			  Qualification  Enrolments  Achievements 
			 GCE A/AS/A2 level 17 1 
			 GCSE 163 68 
			 Total 180 69 
		
	
	However the LSC figures quoted do not provide complete records of all enrolments and achievements because some young people in custody remain enrolled at learning providers in the community and their achievements are not reflected in this data source. Also, many young people stay in custody only for a very short time, and therefore it is not realistic for them to enrol on and achieve long term qualifications.

Health Education: Alcoholic Drinks

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when his Department's communications campaign about the risks of alcohol for 11 to 15 year olds will be launched; and what it will cost.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Government are committed to reducing substance misuse related harm among young people, including harm arising from the misuse of alcohol.
	The Youth Alcohol Action Plan published in June 2008 set out our aim to launch campaigns targeting parents and young people by early 2009. The campaign plans are currently being developed alongside other commitments in the action plan. This type of campaign is informed by insight gathered from our target audience and detailed plans and costs are therefore not yet possible to predict. However, based on other similar behaviour change campaigns £5 million per year has been made available for the next three years to fund communications.

Higher Education: Disadvantaged

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps his Department is taking to encourage children from the most deprived backgrounds to apply for admission to leading universities.

David Lammy: I have been asked to reply.
	This Government remain totally committed to widening participation in higher education (HE), for those from poorer and other under-represented backgrounds. This includes those young people who overcome the greatest challenges, not just to go to university at all, but to one of the most selective universities or courses. We, together with the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the universities themselves, are working to raise both aspirations of young people and attainment—to unlock the talent of each student so that they can progress to a university that will help them realise their full potential.
	There is a range of current and emerging interventions designed to raise attainment and aspirations to progress to higher education. Leading universities are involved in all of these. These include:
	 (a)  Aimhigher programme
	A national outreach programme which seeks to widen participation in HE through local partnerships of universities, colleges and schools which co-design and deliver activities to raise attainment, aspiration and application levels of young people from backgrounds currently under-represented in HE.
	 (b)  Aimhigher Associates
	A new mentoring scheme. Pathfinder projects are being established with a view to national roll out in 2009. Associates are HE students who provide targeted support for and sharing of personal experience with young people through key transitions in their school and/or college careers, with a view to enabling their successful application to HE.
	 (c)  Higher Education Funding Council for England's Widening Participation Allocation
	Supports the additional costs of recruiting and retaining students from non-traditional backgrounds.
	 (c)  HEI/school links
	Are both structural and sustained. DIUS is promoting a range of ways in which universities can get involved with schools, including sponsoring academies and trusts.
	 (d) Summer School Programme
	Funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), which targets young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The programme has gained commitment from over 70 universities which include Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College, London School of Economics, Bristol Liverpool, Birmingham and Warwick.
	In September, the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, announced that nine leading universities have agreed to extend opportunities for the best performing students from the most challenging backgrounds. Universities themselves want to do more to ensure they can identify and attract the most talented students. We are currently discussing the next steps with the universities involved.
	Leading universities are also involved in providing help to gifted and talented learners funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, with the aim of improving their attainment. In particular, the gifted and talented strand of the City Challenges supports progression to leading universities for academically gifted year 10 pupils eligible for free school meals and attending schools in City Challenge areas. From this term, each will benefit from a tailored four-year support programme backed up by a £400 per year bursary to pay for additional out of school support.

Pre-School Education

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what reasons the National Director of Early Years Strategy, Ruth Pimentel, has given for resigning her position.

Beverley Hughes: This is a private matter for the national director herself. She leaves having made a huge contribution to the delivery of our early years agenda, following the successful delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage for which she has been a powerful advocate, and having led on work to ensure that every child gets the chance to experience high quality early learning and care. I know that she will continue to play an active part in the continued development of excellent early years practice, and I wish her well with the next stage of her career.

Pupils

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of students in each local education authority area  (a) were eligible for free school meals,  (b) had a statement of special educational needs and  (c) were on School Action Plus in the latest year for which figures are available.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The information to answer part  (a) can be found in Tables 16 for nursery and primary schools and 17 for secondary schools in the Statistical First Release (SFR) 'Pupil Characteristics and Class Sizes in Maintained Schools in England: January 2008 (Provisional)' in the excel file '(These Excel spreadsheets contain local authority tables of pupils characteristics and class sizes)'. This SFR is available at:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000786/index.shtml
	The information to answer part  (b) can be found in Table 13 in the SFR 'Special Educational Needs in England: January 2008' in the excel file '(Additional analyses, including local authority level tables)'. This SFR is available at:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000794/index.shtml
	The information to answer parts  (b) and  (c) can be found in Tables 14 and 15 of the same SFR for primary and secondary schools respectively.

Schools: Biometrics

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his Department's policy is on the use of biometrics in schools; and if he will place in the Library all guidance on the subject his Department has published.

Jim Knight: holding answer 11 November 2008
	The decision to implement biometric technology, for uses such as registration, in libraries and for school food, resides at school level. Becta's guidance was written in partnership with the Department and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). This guidance says that schools should consult as widely as possible with parents before implementing biometric-based systems. This guidance is in the public domain on the Becta and ICO websites. We will place this guidance in the House of Commons Library.

Schools: Databases

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether pupils resident in Wales and Scotland who attend schools in England will be included on the ContactPoint database; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: ContactPoint will not hold information on children who reside in Wales or Scotland unless that child also has a current residential address in England. If information is provided to ContactPoint on such a child (for instance by a school in England), the system will flag the record for review by the local authority ContactPoint management team and, once it has been confirmed that the information is for a child permanently residing outside England, the data will be moved to archive. The system submitting the information will receive an automated 'stop notice' asking them not to provide the information when it attempts to send these data again.
	ContactPoint is an online directory to enable the delivery of co-ordinated support for young people. It will contain basic identifying information about all children and young people ordinarily resident in England up to their 18th birthday, and contact details for services working with them. These details have been clearly set out and restricted in section 12 of the Children Act 2004 and regulations made under section 12 and will not include any case information such as attendance, behaviour, educational achievement or exam results.

Secondary Education: Coastal Areas

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the turnover rate among pupils was in each secondary school serving the population of a principal seaside town in England in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department does not collect information on the rates of turnover of pupils at schools. Local authority level data on the numbers of pupils in schools is available at:
	www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway

South East: Departmental Expenditure

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department spent on services, broken down by type, in  (a) Dartford Borough,  (b) Kent Thameside,  (c) the Thames Gateway,  (d) Kent County Council area and  (e) the South East region in each of the last five years.

Edward Balls: My Department does not make grant payments to Dartford borough, Kent Thameside, or the Thames Gateway. However it does make payments to Kent county council and local authorities in the South East region for children and families services. Tables showing the amount of Local Authority Grant funding which has been made available to these areas by my Department in each of the last five years are set out as follows, broken down by: revenue funding for children and families services; capital funding for schools; and capital funding for children and families.
	
		
			  Table 1: Funding made available to Kent county council by DCSF between 2003-04 and 2007-08 
			  £ million 
			  Kent  Children and families services( 1)  Schools capital( 2)  Children and families capital( 2) 
			 2003-04(3,4) 80.413 91.700 0.358 
			 2004-05(4,5) 117.984 104.500 6.407 
			 2005-06(4,5) 108.655 90.500 0.594 
			 2006-07 849.309 85.200 9.522 
			 2007-08 898.773 93.600 20.349 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Funding made available to local authorities in the South East region, including Kent, by DCSF between 2003-04 and 2007-08 
			  £ million 
			  South East  Children and families services( 1)  Schools capital( 2)  Children and families capital( 2) 
			 2003-04(3,4) 404.879 457.800 2.103 
			 2004-05(4,5) 578.029 474.600 24.215 
			 2005-06(4,5) 531.422 413.000 3.487 
			 2006-07 4,311.515 486.800 55.875 
			 2007-08 4,622.589 508.200 128.184 
		
	
	 Notes:
	(1) The aforementioned tables include Connexions funding, however up until 1 April 2008 no Connexions funding was paid direct to Kent authority, but to the Kent and Medway Connexions Partnership Ltd. Some Connexions grant was paid to other Partnerships in the South East region. Connexions grant not paid direct to authorities is as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
			   Kent  South East 
			 2003-04 12.941 62.654 
			 2004-05 13.680 61.050 
			 2005-06 13.789 47.292 
			 2006-07 13.789 45.306 
			 2007-08 13.808 28.424 
		
	
	Similarly until 2006-07 the Children's Fund was not paid direct to Kent local authority, but a voluntary organisation, although all other authorities in the South East received the Children's Fund direct. The allocation for the Kent area was £6.233 million in 2003-04; £3.597 million in 2004-05, and £3.083 million in 2005-06.
	(2) Capital figures exclude PFI credit allocations, and supported borrowing allocations as part of Building Schools for the Future. Allocations for targeted capital projects are shown in the year the project started.
	(3) The tables do not include children social care services grants in 2003-04 as responsibility for children social care services was transferred to this Department, from the Department of Health, in 2004-05.
	(4) The Children and Families revenue figures for 2006-07 onwards are not comparable with figures in and before 2005-06 because the introduction of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) in 2006-07 fundamentally changed how local authorities are funded for Education Services.
	In 2005-06 local authorities were funded through the Education Formula Spending (EFS) which formed the education part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. The DSG is based on planned spend. In addition, the DSG has a different coverage to EFS, which comprises a schools block and a local education authority (LEA) block (to cover LEA central functions) whereas DSG only covers the school block. LEA block items are still funded through Communities and Local Government's Local Government Finance Settlement but education items cannot be separately identified. Consequently, there is a break in the Department's time series as the two sets of data are not comparable. For information the EFS figures for 2003-04 to 2005-06 are shown as follows:
	
		
			   Kent  South East 
			 2003-04 688.0 3,811.9 
			 2004-05 725.3 4,023.1 
			 2005-06 759.8 4,233.3 
		
	
	(5) Authorities were given two year Sure Start allocations covering 2004-06, these allocations are reflected in the 2004-05 funding figures in the tables for revenue and non-schools capital.

Vetting

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many and what proportion of Criminal Records Bureau checks were failed by those seeking to work with children  (a) in 2002,  (b) in 2005,  (c) in 2007,  (d) in 2008 and  (e) since inception;
	(2)  how many Criminal Records Bureau checks were undertaken in respect of adults seeking to work with children in  (a) 2002,  (b) 2005,  (c) 2007 and  (d) 2008.

Beverley Hughes: In relation to question 232339, the information sought by the hon. Member is not available in the form requested. Figures provided as follows are based on the number of adults who have requested a check of the Protection of Children Act (POCA) list and list 99 as part of their standard or enhanced disclosure when completing a CRB application form.
	
		
			  Number of disclosures for adults working with children 
			  Financial year  Number 
			 2002-03 1,028,347 
			 2005-06 1,991,499 
			 2007-08 2,533,763 
			 2008-09(1) 1,394,460 
			 (1) April to September 2008. 
		
	
	This may not show all individuals who have applied to work with children or within the education sector because some applicants may not have requested a check of the two lists, on their application form, as this is not a mandatory field for completion.
	In relation to question 232338, applicants do not pass or fail disclosures. A person who applies in the prescribed manner receives a disclosure providing the relevant details of any criminal records information, which is also provided to the registered body under part V of the Police Act 1997. This information will be taken into account by the employer in determining the suitability of an individual for a post applied for. The Department cannot advise employers whether or not they should employ a particular person.
	Independent research conducted between 2004 and 2007 demonstrates that the CRB is continuing to make a difference to the protection of children and the vulnerable. Around 80,000 unsuitable people have been prevented from gaining access to children or the vulnerable, as a direct result of CRB checks in the past four years:
	20,000 in 2004 (out of 2.6 million checks);
	25,000 in 2005 (out of 2.7 million checks);
	15,000 in 2006 (out of 3.2 million checks); and
	20,000 in 2007 (out of 3.3 million checks).
	Many more unsuitable people are deterred from applying to work with children and the vulnerable as a direct result of a requirement for a CRB check.
	In 2007, around 190,000 CRB checks (5.7 per cent. of all checks) revealed information on an applicant and, of these, around 20,000 (11.1 per cent.) had a job offer withdrawn (representing less than 0.6 per cent. of all CRB checks). 74 per cent. of job offers that were withdrawn were as a result of conviction information. The majority of the convictions (56 per cent.) that resulted in the job offer being withdrawn were for theft and violence (GBH, ABH and assault).

BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM

Airwave Service

Tom Brake: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what organisations for which his Department is responsible  (a) use and  (b) are planning to use Airwave handsets.

Patrick McFadden: The Department makes no use of Airwave handsets and has no plans to do so.
	I have asked the Chief Executives of the Department's agencies to respond direct to the hon. Member. There are no central records available relating to the use or planned use of Airwave handsets by BERR's delivery partners.
	 Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 13 November 2008:
	I am responding on behalf of Companies House to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question to the Minister of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
	Companies House does not use and has no plans to use Airwaves handsets.
	 Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 13 November 2008:
	The Minister of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has asked me to reply to you directly in respect of your question (2007/4360), asking what organisations for which his Department is responsible (a) use and (b) are planning to use Airwave handsets.
	The Insolvency Service does not use Airwave Handsets and has no plans to do so.

Departmental ICT

Paul Holmes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many  (a) memory sticks,  (b) laptop computers,  (c) desktop computers,  (d) hard drives and  (e) mobile telephones were (i) lost by and (ii) stolen from his Department in each year since its inception.

Patrick McFadden: A breakdown of the lost or stolen items as reported is provided in the following table.
	
		
			   2008  2007 
			  Mobile phones   
			 Stolen 0 0 
			 Lost 2 1 
			
			  Laptops   
			 Stolen 3 8 
			 Lost 0 0 
			
			 Desktops 0 0 
			 Hard Drives 0 0 
			 Memory Sticks 0 0

Departmental Information Officers

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which organisations provided media monitoring services to  (a) his Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) the non-departmental public bodies it sponsors in each of the last three years; and what the cost of each such contract was.

Patrick McFadden: The information requested is in the following table.
	
		
			  BERR central monitoring costs 
			  £000 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Media Monitoring Unit Cabinet Office 63 60 72 
			 Press Cuttings—Durrants 244 275 234 
			 
			 Total 307 335 306 
		
	
	The chief executives of the Insolvency Service and Companies House will respond to the hon. Member directly.

Departmental Information Officers

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many full-time equivalent press officers  (a) work and  (b) provide assistance for his Department.

Patrick McFadden: There are 13 full-time equivalent press officers that work in the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and seven full-time equivalent press officers in UK Trade and Investment.

Departmental Marketing

David Simpson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of Government-commissioned advertising in the last 12 months relating to matters falling within the remit of his Department.

Patrick McFadden: The Department commissioned the following advertising in the financial year to March 2008 via the Central Office of Information:
	Nuclear energy consultation: press advertising to raise awareness of the consultation on the future of nuclear power in the UK;
	Employing People campaign: press and online advertising to promote the free and practical advice to businesses on the Employing People section of the Business Link website; and
	National Minimum Wage (NWM): online advertising targeting young people, press and online advertising targeting migrant workers, general awareness advertising on regional radio and on posters.
	The cost-effectiveness of the advertising was assessed by the number of responses, for example, cost-per-click in the case of online advertising, potential audience size as calculated by press circulation and the discount on advertising rates achieved by COI against standard rate card costs. Post-campaign tracking research was used to assess the effectiveness of the National Minimum Wage and Employing People campaigns by testing a sample audience's recall of the advertisement as part of the overall campaigns.
	Effective evaluation of campaign advertising is standard practice in Government communications.

Departmental Older Workers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many people recruited by his Department in 2007-08 were aged over  (a) 55 years and  (b) 60 years; and what percentage this represented of the number of new recruits in each case.

Patrick McFadden: The number of people that were recruited into BERR from its creation in June 2007 to 24 October 2008:
	Number of entrants aged over 55 = 122
	Number of entrants aged over 60 = 15
	These numbers represent people recruited through open competition, transfers from OGD's (other Government Departments), Secondments, Loans and Machinery of Government changes.
	The percentage that represents people recruited through open competition from the numbers above are:
	Number of new recruits aged over 55 = five (4 per cent.)
	Number of new recruits aged over 60 = one (6.6 per cent.)

Energy Supply: Meters

John Spellar: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps his Department is taking to ensure those who use prepayment meters are not disadvantaged.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 17 September 2008
	I have been asked to reply.
	We announced in Budget 2008 that the then Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform was prepared to use his statutory powers with a view to reducing the differential between prepayment and other forms of payment for both gas and electricity.
	Ofgem is currently investigating tariff differentials as part of its probe into the energy market. It is due to announce its findings in early October.
	If Ofgem's analysis does show that prepayment meter customers are suffering disadvantage then we will in the first instance expect Ofgem and the energy suppliers to provide the solution. If sufficient progress is not made by this winter 2008-09, the Secretary of State is prepared to consult on legislation, with a view to reducing unjustified tariff differentials.

Flexible Working

David Lidington: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform with reference to the judgment of the European Court of Justice in case C-303/06, what plans he has to issue new guidance to employers on the rights of carers to demand flexible working; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: Carers of adults, together with parents of children under six and parents of disabled children under 18, already have the right to request flexible working. Employers must give serious consideration to their request but can decline it if necessary on specified business grounds. In considering a request for flexible working, as in other matters, employers must also avoid unlawful discrimination. The judgment in the European Court of Justice Case C-303/06 (Coleman  v. Attridge Law), which concerns discrimination against an employee on grounds of her child's disability, does not provide a right to demand flexible working.

Inspections

Michael Ancram: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many inspectors were employed by his Department in  (a) 2007-08 and  (b) 1997-98.

Patrick McFadden: There were 12 Employment Agency Standards (EAS) Inspectors employed in BERR in 2007-08 and this number has since been increased to 24. In September 2007 at the TUC Conference, John Hutton (then Secretary of State) announced a doubling of the number of inspectors (to 24). The new inspectors joined BERR in July 2008.
	There were six EAS inspectors employed in BERR in 1997-98.

Plain English

David Davies: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many documents produced by his Department were submitted to the Plain English Campaign for approval for Crystal Mark status in each year since 2005; and how many documents achieved such status in each year.

Patrick McFadden: One document produced by the Department has received a Crystal Mark since 2005: the Small Business Service document 'Tendering for public contracts', in October 2006. We have no record of whether there were other documents submitted for Crystal Mark status during this period.

Plain English

Lee Scott: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much has been spent by his Department on Plain English Campaign training courses for its staff in each year since 2005.

Patrick McFadden: BERR has not provided any centrally funded Plain English Campaign training courses for staff.
	Plain English may form part of other communications training courses arranged by directorates but this information is not monitored centrally. To identify training individuals have received as part of their job specific development would be a disproportionate cost.

Plain English

Philip Davies: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many documents produced by his Department and its predecessor were submitted to the Plain English Campaign for approval for Crystal Mark status in each year since 2005; and how many documents achieved such status in each year.

Patrick McFadden: One document produced by the Department has received a Crystal Mark since 2005: the Small Business Service document 'Tendering for public contracts', in October 2006. We have no record of whether there were other documents submitted for Crystal Mark status during this period.

Post Offices: Closures

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the effect on local communities of the closure of Francis Street and Walnut Street post offices in Leicester South constituency.

Patrick McFadden: In developing its proposals and reaching its final decisions on post office closures under the Network Change programme, Post Office Ltd. is required to comply with the access criteria set by Government, to take account of geographical factors, including distance to alternative outlets, and to consider a range of socio-economic factors including availability of public transport, local demographics and the impact on local economies. I understand that over 92 per cent. of the population covered by the Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland area plan have seen no change to the post office they used as a result of the Network Change programme.

Post Offices: Marketing

Mark Harper: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what restrictions there are on the ability of individual Post Office branches to market to the public the services they provide.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 10 November 2008
	This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. (POL). I have therefore asked Alan Cook, managing director of POL, to reply direct to the hon. Member.
	Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Postal Services

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many post boxes there are in  (a) Leicester South constituency and  (b) the City of Leicester; and how many there were in 1998.

Patrick McFadden: This is an operational matter for Royal Mail. I have therefore asked Adam Crozier, Chief Executive of Royal Mail, to reply direct to my hon. Friend.
	Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Public Holidays

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  what recent representations he has received on increasing the number of bank holidays;
	(2)  what recent representations his Department has received suggesting the creation of new bank holidays.

Patrick McFadden: The Government regularly receives representations requesting additional bank holidays for a variety of reasons. The pattern of bank holidays is well established and accepted but we keep all of these suggestions under consideration.

Regional Development Agencies: Finance

Mark Prisk: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much was spent on  (a) external consultants and  (b) private contractors by (i) the North West Regional Development Agency, (ii) One North East, (iii) Yorkshire Forward, (iv) Advantage West Midlands, (v) the East Midlands Development Agency, (vi) the East of England Development Agency, (vii) the South West of England Development Agency, (viii) the South East of England Regional Development Agency and (ix) the London Development Agency in each financial year since their creation; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: The RDAs retain records of the last six years. To provide records before this period will incur disproportionate costs. The following tables show RDA figures for 2002-03 to 2007-08.
	Expenditure on private contractors is defined as goods and/or services procured from sources excluding universities, public bodies, the third sector and also private sector organisations created and employed specifically to deliver products and services.
	Expenditure on external consultants is deemed as that spent on services commissioned by the RDA to inform the management of the agency, organisational development, strategy, communicating and marketing. It excludes services for specific programme delivery.
	
		
			  RDA expenditure on external consultants 
			  £000 
			  RDA  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 AWM 572 453 672 496 247 312 
			 EEDA 449 282 226 714 563 453 
			 EMDA 621 295 149 228 148 347 
			 LDA(1) (2)0 (2)0 335 479 2,062 1,529 
			 NWDA 874 815 792 535 518 833 
			 ONE 183 146 200 309 197 181 
			 SEEDA 110 80 125 98 120 66 
			 SWRDA 527 431 648 557 281 316 
			 YF 180 270 296 194 228 390 
			 (1) Increased consultancy fees can be explained through a need to quickly ramp up capacity alongside increased agency spending levels. This particularly applies to the Olympic Bid, Olympic Land Assembly and on other major capital projects such as Wembley Stadium. (2) LDA had different financial recording systems in 2002 and 2003. To provide expenditure on external consultants for these years would incur disproportionate cost. 
		
	
	
		
			  RDA expenditure on private contractors 
			  £000 
			  RDA  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 AWM(1) 12,493 16,936 27,040 31,405 39,158 32,382 
			 EEDA 13,594 14,238 16,921 16,775 16,391 15,388 
			 EMDA 30,469 30,927 24,683 23,332 28,188 23,863 
			 LDA (2)0 (2)0 121 48 77 271 
			 NWDA(3) 34,024 31,659 77,755 50,623 54,961 64,514 
			 ONE 24,230 39,420 25,050 23,090 32,360 28,350 
			 SEEDA 33,216 48,818 47,949 40,638 43,217 43,052 
			 SWRDA 43,294 43,590 35,939 29,104 30,568 25,847 
			 YF 44,700 47,958 47,969 50,805 35,572 41,162 
			 (1) This expenditure figure relates to activity on the agency's land and property portfolio. (2) LDA had different financial recording systems in 2002 and 2003. To provide expenditure figures on private contractors for these years would incur disproportionate cost. (3) Expenditure on private contractors rose from 2002-03 to 2004-05 in line with an increase in agency responsibilities. Since 2004-05, the agency's delivery mechanism has moved away from direct development and more towards grant funding partners to deliver projects. Spend with private contractors has therefore fallen, but grant expenditure has risen accordingly.

Renewable Energy: Finance

Ben Chapman: To ask the Minister of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if his Department will bring forward proposals for subsidising renewable electricity generators in circumstances of rising prices for fossil fuels.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 15 September 2008
	We already support renewable electricity generation through the renewables obligation. But given the challenges of security of energy supply, climate change and rises in fossil fuel prices we want to do more, not only on renewable electricity but also on renewable heat and transport fuels. We are currently consulting on potential measures designed to increase the use of renewable energy to around 15 per cent. of total energy by 2020 (depending on the final target to be agreed in the proposed EU renewable energy directive). The consultation document can be found at
	www.renewableconsultation.berr.gov.uk.
	As regards support for renewable electricity, possibilities include further amendments to the renewables obligation (on top of the changes in the Energy Bill) and further support for microgeneration and small scale renewable electricity, possibly in the form of feed-in tariffs.
	A copy of the consultation document can be found in both Libraries of the House.

Renewable Energy: Finance

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the economic rent paid to renewable electricity generators in consumer subsidy; and what steps he is taking to minimise such costs.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 15 September 2008
	I have been asked to reply.
	Renewable electricity generators' income is derived from the sale of electricity, renewables obligation certificates and levy exemption certificates. The value they can derive from these is a matter for commercial negotiation in the market. The Government commissioned estimates of the costs of electricity generation from renewable sources and how much in practice the operators of such generating stations receive from the sale of the electricity, renewables obligation certificates and levy exemption certificates from Ernst and Young LLP. Their report "Impact of banding the Renewables Obligation - Costs of electricity production" (URN 07/948) was published by DTI in 2007 and copies were placed in both Libraries of the House.
	Our proposed reforms of the renewables obligation are designed to increase both the effectiveness and the value for money of the instrument. These issues are discussed in the impact assessment that accompanies the Energy Bill that is currently being considered by Parliament. Our estimates in this impact assessment suggest that under our preferred option, rents could be reduced by £1.9 billion over the lifetime.
	We are currently consulting on the UK renewable energy strategy, the consultation document can be found at:
	www.renewableconsultation.berr.gov.uk.
	Our work on the renewable energy strategy includes further considerations on the efficiency of the renewables obligation, see section 3.8 of the consultation document. Potential measures include reviewing the 'bands' of the renewables obligation, increasing the stability of the ROC price, and considering linking compensation under the renewables obligation to changes in electricity wholesale prices. A copy of the consultation document can be found in both Libraries of the House.

Royal Mail

Edward Timpson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will place in the Library a copy of Mr. Richard Hooper's report on the future of the Royal Mail.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 6 November 2008
	The Government have not yet received the report, but expects to do so by the end of November.
	The Review Panel was asked to consider how to maintain the universal postal service in the light of market developments.

HEALTH

Airwave Service

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what organisations for which his Department is responsible  (a) use and  (b) are planning to use Airwave handsets.

Ben Bradshaw: Through the Ambulance Radio Programme it is planned that all NHS Ambulance Trusts in England will have a full Airwave service by the end of 2009. The following national health service bodies are already using terminals as part of the programme's roll-out:
	East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust
	East Midlands Ambulance NHS Trust
	Isle of Wight NHS Primary Care Trust
	North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust
	North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
	South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust
	West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust
	Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust
	London Ambulance NHS Trust
	The Department does not routinely collect information on contracts that individual NHS bodies may have entered into with Airwave Solutions Ltd. for terminals.

Alcoholic Drinks: Young People

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to reduce the incidence of binge drinking among  (a) men and  (b) women aged 16 to 24 years.

Alan Campbell: I have been asked to reply.
	As part of the Alcohol Strategy published in June 2007, the Home Office (and Department of Health) is currently highlighting the issue of our drinking culture through its national marketing campaign 'Know Your Limits'. This campaign aims to change the attitudes of 18 to 24s over the long term by increasing awareness of the problems and by highlighting the consequences of irresponsible drinking. We are doing this in a number of ways which include advertising and also through public relations. Our public relations work includes media advocacy and liaising with news media and also script writers to inform them about our policies and communications and to hold a mirror up to the way they portray alcohol. The aim of this work is to try and influence more positive associations with alcohol to create a culture where it is socially acceptable for young people to choose not to drink and, if they do start drinking, to do so later and more safely.
	The Home Secretary announced in her speech on 6 February 2008 that a number of new measures and possible steps would be taken to crack down on crime and antisocial behaviour which is fuelled by alcohol. This includes highlighting the message that it is not acceptable for young people to drink in public places.
	The Home Secretary also said that she is considering a number of options including making the possession of alcohol by a young person an offence or possibly involving the parents if alcohol is confiscated from a child. We are currently considering the effectiveness of the current powers and what can be done to help the police use them more effectively.
	Additionally, the Culture Secretary, the right hon. Andy Burnham, said in his statement of 4 March 2008, that the offence of persistently selling alcohol to children would be changed from 'three strikes' to 'two strikes' in three months. The Government will legislate to increase the maximum fine for not obeying an instruction to stop drinking in a designated public place from £500 to £2,500. Other issues which may not require legislation include making it easier for the police to disperse antisocial drinkers and we will extend the alcohol arrest referral pilots so that under 18s may also benefit from a brief intervention from a trained worker.

Alcoholism

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent steps the Government have taken to reduce levels of alcoholism.

Dawn Primarolo: In June 2007, we published a comprehensive strategy to tackle the harms from excessive alcohol consumption—Safe, Sensible, Social —the next steps in the National Alcohol Strategy. A copy has already been placed in the Library. Our aims are:
	to focus future action on reducing the types of harm that are of most concern to the public
	to reduce the crime and ill health caused by alcohol
	to increase the public's awareness of the risks associated with excessive consumption and how to get help
	We undertook in Safe, Sensible, Social to commission an independent review of the relationship between alcohol price, promotion and harm. The second phase of this review will be published soon.
	From 22 July 2008 until 14 October 2008, the Government carried out a major consultation asking for the views of the public and key stakeholders on what action the Government should take in response to the rising levels of alcohol-related health harm and crime and disorder. The Government are considering the comments carefully.
	The Department put in place a vital signs indicator for the national health service from April 2008 to measure change in the rate of hospital admissions for alcohol-related conditions—the first ever commitment to monitor how the NHS is tackling alcohol harm. The Indicator is expected to encourage the NHS to identify risky drinking earlier, this approach linked with advice and support from general practitioners or other healthcare staff has been shown to be the best way of reducing the kind of 'everyday' harmful drinking that leads to health harm. The indicator also provides a strong incentive for primary care trusts (PCTs) to improve treatment provision for people dependent on alcohol.
	A 'Review of the effectiveness of treatment for alcohol problems' was published in November 2006 by the National Treatment Agency (NTA) for the NHS. A copy has been placed in the Library. It provides comprehensive guidance on the relative effectiveness of the various alcohol treatment modalities. Guidance on developing effective local treatment systems has also been published. (Models of Care for Alcohol Misusers, DH/NTA 2005).
	Funding has been made available for a £6 million Alcohol Improvement Programme, which is providing support to PCTs where alcohol-related harm is highest. Among other actions:
	An Alcohol Learning Centre will help to spread world class commissioning practice across the country
	A National Alcohol Treatment Monitoring System has been established to report performance data on the provision of alcohol treatment services.

Antibiotics

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much each hospital trust in England spent on antibiotics in 2007-08.

Dawn Primarolo: Information is not available in the format requested. Estimates of hospital spend on antibiotics for 2007-08, by net ingredient cost (NIC), by each strategic health authority (SHA) in England, are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Estimated hospital spend on antibiotics in England 2007-08 
			  SHA name  NIC (£000) 
			 East Midlands 16,341.2 
			 East of England 22,936.9 
			 London 54,652.5 
			 North East 15,869.7 
			 North West 38,416.8 
			 South Central 15,925.5 
			 South East Coast 18,086.6 
			 South West 25,023.8 
			 West Midlands 24,872.2 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 22,960.6 
			 Grand Total 255,085.8 
			  Notes: The net ingredient cost (NIC) is the cost of the drug at NHS list price. IMS Health data are classified according to a version of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system used by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Data have been provided for antibiotic products in the ATC categories below, as these correspond most closely to British National Formulary (BNF) section 5.1 (Antibacterial drugs). J01 antibacterials for systemic use J03 systemic sulphonamides J04 antimycobacterials J08 other anti-infectives. There will be some antibiotic products, such as topical creams and eye drops, which are not included in BNF 5.1.  Source: IMS Health: Hospital Pharmacy Audit Index 
		
	
	Data on prescriptions that are written in hospital and dispensed in the community are only held at national level by the NHS Information Centre. In 2007-08 the national spend on prescriptions written in hospitals and dispensed in the community for products in British National Formulary section 5.1 (Antibacterial drugs) was £3.4 million (NIC).

Carers: Social Security Benefits

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many individuals on income support for regularly caring for individuals on disability living allowance had their support withdrawn as a result of hospitalisation in 2007-08.

Tony McNulty: I have been asked to reply.
	The information is not available.

Departmental Conditions of Employment

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of employees in his Department  (a) are on a flexible working contract,  (b) are on a job share employment contract and  (c) work from home for more than four hours per week.

Ben Bradshaw: The proportion of the Department's staff on a part-time working contract as at 30 September 2008 was 8.4 per cent. The proportion of staff on a job share contract at that time was 0.2 per cent. Information is not available on the percentage of staff working from home for more than four hours per week, as such arrangements are agreed with managers locally and no central records are held.
	The Department encourages staff to work flexibly through providing opportunities for part time working, job sharing, term time only working and the use of flexitime. The last of these practices is particularly widespread. The Department also encourages other arrangements such as spreading working hours over nine days within a fortnight or four days within a week. It also provides the technology to allow staff to work at home on occasions. The Department also has in place specific arrangements to allow parents, adopters, guardians and foster carers of children under six (or disabled children under 18) to apply to work flexibly.

Departmental Consultants

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost has been to implement the SHOWA system for the aggregation of his Department's expenditure on consultancy services.

Ben Bradshaw: The cost to date of implementing the SHOWA system, which was renamed the Business Management System (BMS) in July 2008, is £10.5 million. This cost is comprised of the following components:
	
		
			  Component  Period  £ million 
			 Project start up and creation of Business case August 2006 to February 2007 0.345 
			 Design and build March 2007 to December 2007 3,969 
			 Testing January 2008 to March 2008 3,046 
			 Implementation and training April 2008 to August 20 3,112 
		
	
	In addition to the facility that enables the accurate aggregation of the Department's expenditure on consultancy services, BMS also replaces the previous Human Resource and Finance systems and provides a new procurement facility that ensures that the Department is able to negotiate and manage its contracts in accordance with industry best practice.
	Although BMS represents a large investment in public funds, the work was undertaken on the basis that implementation of the new system will realise significant business benefits. The projected benefits are summarised and quantified in the following table:
	
		
			  Benefit Area  £ million 
			 Ongoing savings over five years 8,160 
			 Net savings resulting from off shoring/outsourcing services 4,219 
			 Other savings from elimination of backup and recovery services 0.600 
		
	
	Realising the benefits of BMS is currently the responsibility of the BMS Strategy Board, chaired by the Department's Director of Operations. A benefits realisation plan has been prepared that will be overseen by the Strategy Board, with progress subject to quarterly review by the Corporate Management Board.

Departmental Disciplinary Proceedings

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what sanctions are available in cases of departmental staff found to have committed disciplinary offences; and how many times each has been used in each of the last three years.

Ben Bradshaw: The sanctions available in cases of staff found to have committed disciplinary offences are listed in the following table, together with the number of times each sanction has been enacted in the last two years. Figures are not available prior to 30 September 2006.
	
		
			  Sanction  Times sanction used in the last 2 years 
			 Written reprimand 7 
			 Dismissal without notice 0 
			 Dismissal with notice 2 
			 Disciplinary transfer 0 
			 Withdrawal or withholding performance related pay 0 
			 Levying of financial penalty 0 
			 Ban on applying for posts 0 
			 Demotion 1

Departmental Equality

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of how his Department has performed against the Government's equality and diversity targets.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department has exceeded targets set by the Cabinet Office for women, black and minority ethnic (BME) and disabled staff in the senior civil service (SCS), apart from that for women in top management posts (TMPs), covering SCS paybands 2 and above.
	The Department has set itself higher targets, to be achieved by 31 March 2011. The targets, and the position as at 30 June 2008, all expressed as percentages, are presented in the following table.
	
		
			   Cabinet Office target  Department target  Department position as at 30 June 2008 
			 Women 37 43 40.9 
			 Women in TMPs 30 35 26.3 
			 BME 4 10 8.4 
			 Disabled 3 6 5.3

Departmental Information Officers

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what  (a) salary and  (b) other remuneration was paid to guest speakers at each event organised by his Department for training of press officers in the latest period for which figures are available.

Ben Bradshaw: No salary or other remuneration was paid to any guest speaker at any event organised by the Department for the training of press officers in the financial year 2007-08.

Departmental Information Officers

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what events were organised by his Department for the training of press officers in the last year; and what funds were allocated for each event;
	(2)  how much was spent on training for press officers in his Department in the latest period for which figures are available.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department of Health media centre holds regular training sessions on press officer skills. These are organised in-house, run by senior colleagues and have incurred no financial costs.
	In the financial year 2007-08, the Department of Health media centre spent a total of £1,200 (excluding VAT) on externally provided training for its press officers.

Departmental Older Workers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people recruited by his Department in 2007-08 were aged over  (a) 55 years and  (b) 60 years; and what percentage this represented of the number of new recruits in each case.

Ben Bradshaw: Six people aged over 55 were recruited in 2007-08, representing 3.6 per cent. of the total number of recruits. None of those recruited was over the age of 60.

Departmental Pay

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what  (a) salary and  (b) other remuneration was paid to guest speakers at internal training events within his Department in the latest period for which figures are available.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department does not keep central records of internal training events run locally by business areas across the Department. To establish the information requested would incur disproportionate costs.

Departmental Pay

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 30 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1236W, on departmental pay, whether Mr. R Channing-Wheeler is still receiving £8,400 a month towards the cost of his accommodation.

Ben Bradshaw: Mr. Wheeler has not received any contribution towards the cost of his accommodation since he left the Department on 15 July 2008.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to his Department of provision of office facilities to  (a) special advisers and  (b) press officers (i) was in the last 12 months and (ii) has been since 1997-98.

Ben Bradshaw: It is not possible to calculate the cost of the provision of office facilities to special advisers and press officers for the period in question.

General Practitioners: Pharmacy

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many prescription items have been dispensed by dispensing doctors in  (a) Vale of York constituency and  (b) England in the last three years;
	(2)  how many prescription items have been dispensed in the community by community pharmacists, appliance contractors and dispensing doctors in  (a) Vale of York constituency and  (b) England in the last three years.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of prescription items that have been dispensed in the community by community pharmacists, appliance contractors and by dispensing doctors is available for primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. The figures are based on a one in 20 sample of prescriptions. It is not possible to separate the figures for community pharmacists and appliance contractors so the combined figure is given in each case. The figures provided are for the PCT which is the closest match to the Vale of York, namely North Yorkshire and York PCT.
	
		
			  Number of prescription items dispensed in the community in England by dispenser type in calendar years from 2005 to 2007( 1) 
			  Thousand 
			  Region  Dispenser type  2005  2006  2007 
			 England Community Pharmacists and Appliance Contractors 651,536.6 682,407.0 722,937.9 
			  Dispensing Doctors 49,328.9 52,493.6 55,917.7 
			  Total(1) 700,865.5 734,900.6 778,855.6 
			  
			 North Yorkshire and York PCT Community Pharmacists and Appliance Contractors 8,388.4 8,650.8 9,108.7 
			  Dispensing Doctors 2,553.0 2,670.4 2,820.8 
			  Total(1) 10,941.4 11,321.2 11,929.5 
			 (1) Personally administered items are excluded from this analysis.  Source: PCA data.

HIV Infection

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average life expectancy was of a patient diagnosed with HIV in each year from 2001.

Dawn Primarolo: A recently published article in  The Lancet (2008; 372:293-99) provides estimates of life expectancy for HIV-infected adults receiving combination antiretroviral therapy. It is based on analysis of over 43,000 patients from industrialised countries, including some from the UK. The median life expectancy for such patients was 63 years for those diagnosed at age 20 and 67 years for those diagnosed at age 35.
	Figures are not available for each year since 2001, but the estimated life expectancy increased between the first period studied in the research (1996-99) and the last (2003-05). For those patients starting combination therapy at age 20, life expectancy increased from an estimated 56.1 years in 1996-99 to 69.4 years in 2003-05. Equivalent figures at age 35 are from 60 years to 72.3 years.

HIV Infection

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the rates of infection for  (a) HIV,  (b) genital herpes,  (c) syphilis,  (d) gonorrhea and  (e) chlamydia were in each month from 2001 to 2008.

Dawn Primarolo: Rates of diagnoses for individuals accessing care in genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics reported to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) are not available by month but are available by year.
	The following table gives the rate of diagnoses of anogenital herpes, primary and secondary infectious syphilis, gonorrhoea, Chlamydia and new HIV diagnoses and HIV infected individuals accessing care, for all ages in the United Kingdom, per 100,000 population; 2001 to 2007, the latest year available.
	
		
			   Anogenital herpes( 1)  Primary and secondary infectious syphilis( 1)  Gonorrhoea( 1)  Chlamydia( 1)  New HIV diagnoses( 2)  HIV infected individuals accessing care( 3) 
			 2001 32.0 1.3 40.1 129.4 8.6 44.6 
			 2002 32.7 2.1 43.2 147.7 10.6 53.2 
			 2003 32.3 2.8 41.9 161.5 12.3 61.6 
			 2004 31.9 3.8 37.3 175.0 12.7 69.6 
			 2005 32.9 4.5 32.0 181.7 12.8 78.1 
			 2006 36.0 4.4 31.2 187.8 12.1 86.0 
			 2007 43.0 4.4 30.9 201.3 12.7 92.8 
			  Notes: 1. Office for National Statistics population data were used to calculate rates. New HIV and AIDS diagnoses: 2. Rates of diagnoses of HIV infections do not reflect new HIV infections as the long period of asymptomatic HIV infection results in a long average time between infection and diagnosis. 3. Figures may include some duplicate records of the same individuals, which are not removed because differences in the information supplied means they cannot be linked. KC60 return and STISS: 4. The data available from the KC60 statutory returns and STISS are for diagnoses made in GUM clinics only. Diagnoses made in other clinical settings, such as General Practice, are not recorded in the KC60 dataset or STISS. 5. The data available from the KC60 statutory returns and STISS are the number of diagnoses made, not the number of patients diagnosed. Individual patients may have more than one diagnosis. 6. The information provided has been adjusted for missing clinic data.  Sources: (1)( )HPA: KC60 returns and Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance Scotland (STISS) (2) New HIV and AIDS diagnoses (3) Annual survey of HIV-infected persons accessing care. 
		
	
	As HIV is a long-term, chronic condition, many individuals are living with HIV infection who were diagnosed in previous years. Therefore, the last column in the table shows the rates of diagnosed HIV infection among the general population (all ages). The rate will be higher among those aged 15 to 59 years. There are also persons living with HIV infection in the UK who are unaware of their infection—this proportion was approximately one in every three HIV-infected persons in 2007.
	In addition to cases in GUM clinics, the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) provides screening to asymptomatic people aged under 25 years in England and was launched in April 2003. The following table shows the positivity among those aged 13 to 24 years screened for Chlamydia during the period 1 April 2003 to 30 June 2008. The figures presented are positivity measures among those screened and not rates of infection in the general population.
	
		
			  Table 2: Positivity among those aged 13 to 24 years screened for  Chlamydia , National Chlamydia Screening Programme: 1 April 2003 to 30 June 2008. 
			  Quarter  Number of negative screens (a)  Number of positive screens (b)  Total number of screens( 1)  Positivity (a/a+b) 100( 1) 
			 1 April 2003 to 30 June 2003 1,038 129 1,177 11.1 
			 1 July 2003 to 30 September 2003 2,192 284 2,553 11.5 
			 1 October 2003 to 31 December 2003 4,861 543 5,585 10.0 
			 1 January 2004 to 31 March 2004 7,002 800 8,076 10.3 
			 1 April 2004 to 30 June 2004 7,243 981 8,597 11.9 
			 1 July 2004 to 30 September 2004 10,824 1,533 12,719 12.4 
			 1 October 2004 to 31 December 2004 15,795 1,837 17,996 10.4 
			 1 January 2005 to 31 March 2005 21,011 2,433 23,992 10.4 
			 1 April 2005 to 30 June 2005 21,480 2,495 24,662 10.4 
			 1 July 2005 to 30 September 2005 19,643 2,324 22,652 10.6 
			 1 October 2005 to 31 December 2005 27,995 2,959 31,622 9.6 
			 1 January 2006 to 31 March 2006 29,710 3,225 33,782 9.8 
			 1 April 2006 to 30 June 2006 26,583 2,871 30,129 9.7 
			 1 July 2006 to 30 September 2006 29,714 3,640 34,221 10.9 
			 1 October 2006 to 31 December 2006 36,954 4,195 42,027 10.2 
			 1 January 2007 to 31 March 2007 50,227 5,299 56,784 9.5 
			 1 April 2007 to 30 June 2007 51,320 5,453 58,386 9.6 
			 1 July 2007 to 30 September 2007 56,728 6,054 64,891 9.6 
			 1 October 2007 to 31 December 2007 80,953 7,470 91,055 8.4 
			 1 January 2008 to 31 March 2008 115,519 10,100 129,172 8.0 
			 1 April 2008 to 30 June 2008 112,451 10,250 126,119 8.4 
			  
			 All quarters 729,243 74,875 826,197 9.3 
			 (1) Total screens includes screens with insufficient sample, inhibitory and equivocal test results and therefore might not equal number of negative + number of positive screens  Source: The NCSP Core Dataset.

Hospitals: Admissions

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people per thousand received emergency admittance to hospital in England in each of the last five years.

Ben Bradshaw: The available information is provided in the following table.
	
		
			  Count of emergency hospital admissions and rate per 1000 population for 2002-03 to 2006-07—national health service hospitals, England, and activity performed in the independent sector in England commissioned by English NHS 
			   Emergency hospital admissions  Population for England  Estimated rate per 1,000 population 
			 2006-07 4,700,017 50,762,945 92.588 
			 2005-06 4,659,054 50,465,625 92.321 
			 2004-05 4,428,680 50,110,688 88.378 
			 2003-04 4,158,734 49,866,170 83.398 
			 2002-03 3,953,480 49,652,294 79.623 
			  Notes: 1. Population data and rates: The population data used was provided by the Populations and Geographies team in the NHS Information Centre. These figures are for calendar years only; therefore 2006-07 HES data uses 2006 population data. Also the population data are for residents of England whereas HES data are for activity in NHS Hospitals England and activity performed in the independent sector in England commissioned by English NHS. 2. Assessing growth through time: HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. During the years that these records have been collected by the NHS there have been ongoing improvements in quality and coverage. These improvements in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. Some of the increase in figures for later years (particularly 2006-07 onwards) may be due to the improvement in the coverage of independent sector activity. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example, a number of procedures may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and may no longer be accounted for in the HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time. 3. Data quality: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. Data are also received from a number of independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. 4. Finished admission episodes: A finished admission episode is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one health care provider. Finished admission episodes are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. 5. The following admission methods were used to identify 'emergency hospital admissions: 21 = Emergency: via Accident and Emergency (A and E) services, including the casualty department of the provider 22 = Emergency: via general practitioner (GP) 23 = Emergency: via Bed Bureau, including the Central Bureau 24 = Emergency: via consultant outpatient clinic 28 = Emergency: other means, including patients who arrive via the A and E department of another health care provider  Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care

Hospitals: Standards

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what methodology his Department uses to assess the  (a) clinical standards,  (b) safety and  (c) patient outcomes of specialist (i) services and (ii) surgical procedures and support in each (A) acute hospital and (B) acute hospital trust;
	(2)  what evidential basis Ministers in his Department draw upon when commenting on clinical standards in each acute trust.

Ben Bradshaw: The independent healthcare regulator, the Healthcare Commission, is responsible for assessing the performance of NHS trusts and has recently published the results of its annual health check for 2007-08. Departmental officials have passed on the hon. Member's queries to the Chief Executive of the Healthcare Commission who will write directly to the hon. Member on the points he has raised.

Incontinence: Medical Equipment

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to ensure that the additional services currently provided to patients by dispensing appliance contractors are maintained under the proposed new arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of stoma and urology services in primary care; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: Throughout the review of the arrangements under part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of stoma and urology appliances—and related services—in primary care, one of the Department's key aims has been to maintain, and where applicable improve, the current quality of care to patients and to provide a consistent level of care.
	The Department recognises that dispensing appliance contractors provide a number of services which many users value. However, these services are not required under the terms of their NHS service provision. Therefore, the Department wants to make sure that key services are included in the arrangements for the provision of pharmaceutical services made by primary care trusts under part 7 of the NHS Act 2006, and incorporated into the terms of service set out in the "NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2005"—and that such services are provided to the same standard. The Department also proposes to make a contribution towards the cost of these services.
	Proposals relating to both amendments to terms of service were set out in the consultation entitled "Proposed new arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of stoma and urology appliances—and related services—in Primary Care. June 2008". The consultation closed on 9 September and all responses are being evaluated against the Department's stated aims—particularly those relating to patient care—before any decisions are made.

Influenza

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Romsey (Sandra Gidley) of 9 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 594-95W, on influenza, what progress he has made towards the delivery of the initial phase of the National Flu Line Service by the end of 2008; what steps comprise the initial phase of implementation; what other phases of implementation are required for the service to become operational; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The National Pandemic Flu Line Service will be available in the event of a pandemic, to provide rapid access to antiviral treatment and to ease the burden on front-line health care services.
	Current plans are for a fully operational first release of the system to be delivered and tested in early 2009. A preferred supplier has been selected and we expect to place contracts shortly.
	Primary care trusts are currently making arrangements for local antiviral collection points and stock management and distribution systems are in development.
	This timetable is subject to review if the likelihood of a pandemic increases in the meantime, with the announcement of World Health Organisation phase 4.

Leicester City Primary Care Trust

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much Leicester City Primary Care Trust spent on specialist treatment for alcohol dependency in  (a) 2007 and  (b) 1997; how many cases of alcohol dependency it dealt with in each of those years; and what treatments it makes available for people with alcohol dependency;
	(2)  what the Leicester City Primary Care Trust budget for preventative measures against alcohol dependency was in  (a) 2007 and  (b) 1997; what the average waiting time for specialist treatment for alcohol dependency in the trust area was in each of those years; how much the trust spent on residential treatment for alcohol dependency in each of those years; and what its budget for alcohol awareness campaigns was in each of those years.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not collected centrally.
	Safe. Sensible. Social. The next steps in the National Alcohol Strategy was published in 2007 and sets out this Government's strategy to tackle harmful and binge drinking. A copy of this document is already in the Library.
	Funding is allocated directly to primary care trusts (PCTs), including Leicester City PCT, who are responsible for commissioning appropriate services to meet the needs of their local populations. This includes investing in preventing and treating harm caused by alcohol. Leicester City PCT will be receiving £150,000 as part of a pilot scheme to trailblaze new approaches to tackle alcohol misuse in health inequality hotspots across the city.

Medical Treatments: Finance

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of  (a) the application of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio used by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in its assessment of treatments for very rare conditions assessed as costing between £50,000 and £300,000 per quality-assisted life year and  (b) the effect of this practice on the level of uptake of medicines for rare conditions;
	(2)  what representations he has received on the application by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence of its incremental cost-effectiveness ratio to its assessment of treatments for very rare conditions assessed as costing between £50,000 and £300,000 per quality-assisted life year.

Dawn Primarolo: The methodology used by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to develop its guidance is determined by NICE itself. NICE publishes details of its appraisal methodology in its 'Guide to Methods of Technology Appraisal' and its 'Social Value Judgements: Principles for the Development of NICE Guidance'. Both of these documents have recently been reviewed following public consultation and are available on NICE'S website at:
	www.nice.org.uk/media/B52/A7/TAMethods GuideUpdatedJune2008.pdf
	and
	http://www.nice.org.uk/aboutnice/howwework/socialvaluejudgements/socialvaluejudgements.jsp
	I also refer the hon. Member to the Secretary of State for Health's statement to the House on 4 November about Professor Mike Richards' review of current policy concerning NHS patients who wish to pay for additional private drugs. This statement reported on proposals received from NICE to apply more explicit flexibility to the appraisal of high cost drugs for less common terminal illnesses, including rarer cancers.
	The Department has received a number of representations on treatments for very rare conditions some of which have been in relation to NICE appraisals.

NHS Treatment Centres: Private Sector

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward proposals to  (a) provide better information to people about treatment available at independent sector treatment centres (ISTCs) and  (b) provide free transport for patients to ISTCs.

Ben Bradshaw: As part of the wave 1 and phase 2 independent sector treatment centre (ISTC) contracts providers are legally required to produce referring health service bodies (RHSB) literature and patient literature. It is therefore the responsibility of the provider to provide information to people about treatment available at ISTCs.
	The ISTC contracts stipulate that RHSB literature should include but not be limited to: a description of the nature of the activities provided at each facility including information for GPs and other referrers; information about the referral process; logistical information such as maps detailing the location of the ISTC.
	The contracts also set out that patient literature should include but not be limited to the following: a description of the activities provided at each facility; a general explanation of the referral process and the likely length of stay and the likely time involved for the activity or length of appointment.
	Patients referred to ISTCs are eligible, as are all national health service patients, for free travel to and from premises providing NHS health care and between NHS health care providers as long as it is non-urgent, planned and based on medical need. If a health care professional were to refer a patient to an ISTC, then free transport would be available provided the patient met the aforementioned criteria. However, this would be for the local NHS to decide and arrange accordingly.
	Under certain circumstances, patients who are attending an ISTC for NHS-funded treatment who do not qualify for free transport may be eligible for the reimbursement of the costs they incur in travelling to and from their appointment through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme. This is part of the NHS Low Income Scheme and ensures that no one foregoes care because of financial constraints.

NHS: Dental Services

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people  (a) had access to and  (b) were registered with an NHS dentist immediately prior to the introduction of the new NHS dental contract in (i) Suffolk and (ii) South Suffolk.

Ann Keen: The number of patients registered with a national health service dentist in England as at 31 March from 1997 to 2006 is available in Annex A of the report NHS Dental Activity and Workforce Report, England: 31 March 2006. Information is provided by primary care trust (PCT) and by strategic health authority (SHA). Annex C provides information by constituency.
	This information is based on the old contractual arrangements that were in place up to and including 31 March 2006. This report has already been placed in the Library and is also available on the website of the Information Centre for health and social care at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/dwfactivity
	Under the new dental contractual arrangements, introduced on 1 April 2006, patients do not have to be registered with an NHS dentist to receive NHS care. The closest equivalent measure to 'registration' is the number of patients receiving NHS dental services '(patients seen') over a 24-month period. However, this is not directly comparable to the registration data for earlier years.
	The numbers of patients seen by an NHS dentist in England in the 24-month period ending 31 March 2006 are included within Table CI of Annex 3 of the report NHS Dental Statistics for England: Quarter 3: 31 December 2007. Information is provided by SHA and PCT. Information is not available by constituency.
	This report has already been placed in the Library and is also available on the Information Centre website at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/dentalstats0708q3

NHS: Dental Services

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the adequacy of provision of NHS dental services for new patients in  (a) Suffolk and  (b) South Suffolk.

Ann Keen: The Department has made no such assessment. Primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for commissioning dental care services to reflect local needs and priorities. We have made increasing the number of patients seen within national health service dental services year on year a formal priority for PCTs in the NHS Operating Framework for 2008-09 (which has already been placed in the Library). We have supported this with a substantial 11 per cent. uplift in overall dental funding allocations to PCTs from 1 April 2008.

NHS: Dental Services

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's most recent estimate is of the number of NHS dentists in  (a) Suffolk and  (b) South Suffolk.

Ann Keen: The numbers of dentists with national health service activity during the years ending 31 March 2007 and 31 March 2008 are available in Table G1 of Annex 3 of the report NHS Dental Statistics for England: 2007-08. This has already been placed in the Library. Information is provided by strategic health authority and by primary care trust but is not available by constituency. This information is based on the new dental contractual arrangements, introduced on 1 April 2006.
	Following a recent consultation exercise, this measure is based on a revised methodology and therefore supersedes previously published workforce figures relating to the new dental contractual arrangements. It is not comparable to the information collected under the old contractual arrangements. This revised methodology counted the number of dental performers with NHS activity recorded via FP17 claim forms in each year ending 31 March. This report has already been placed in the Library and is also available on the website of the Information Centre for health and social care at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/dental0708
	The published numbers relate to headcounts and do not differentiate between full-time and part-time dentists, nor do they account for the fact that some dentists may do more NHS work than others.

NHS: Dental Services

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's most recent estimate is of the number of people registered with NHS dentists in  (a) Suffolk and  (b) South Suffolk.

Ann Keen: Under the new dental contractual arrangements, introduced on 1 April 2006, patients do not have to be registered with a national health service dentist to receive NHS care. The closest equivalent measure to 'registration' is the number of patients receiving NHS dental services ('patients seen') over a 24-month period. However, this is not directly comparable to the registration data for earlier years.
	The Dental Services Division (DSD) of the NHS Business Services Authority has recently issued information about patients seen at primary care trust (PCT) level. However, this was for management purposes.
	Due to some concerns over the allocation of patients to PCTs across the various quarters, sub-national information on patients seen was not included in the report Dental Statistics for England: 2007-08, published by the Information Centre for health and social care in August 2008. The DSD has confirmed that this issue could have only a minimal impact on the national figures, which were included in the report but labelled as provisional.
	These concerns have been addressed and, as a result, the sub-national information about patients seen for the 24-month period ending 30 June 2008 will be provided as normal in the report NHS Dental Statistics for England: Quarter 1: 30 June 2008, due to be published by the Information Centre on 20 November 2008.
	In addition, the sub-national data for the 24-month period ending 31 March 2008, omitted from the 2007-08 publication, will be included in the annexes to the above report.
	The latest sub-national information available on the number of patients seen by an NHS dentist in England over the previous 24-month period is in Table CI of Annex 3 of the report NHS Dental Statistics for England: Quarter 3: 31 December 2007. Information is available for the 24-month periods ending 31 March 2006, 31 March 2007, 30 June 2007, 30 September 2007 and 31 December 2007. Information is provided by strategic health authority and PCT. Information is not available by constituency.
	This report has already been placed in the Library and is also available on the Information Centre website at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/dentalstats0708q3

Oxygen: Medical Equipment

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the home oxygen patient satisfaction survey, what the results were for answers to questions 5, 8, 16, 27 and 36, broken down by  (a) supplier and  (b) primary care trust area.

Ben Bradshaw: The Home Oxygen Service Satisfaction Survey results for questions 5, 8, 16, 27 and 36 broken down by supplier are as follows. The Department does not hold information by primary care trust area.
	
		
			  Question 5—satisfaction with service provided by home oxygen supplier at the mom ent 
			 Home Oxygen Supplier 
			  Air Liquide 
			   Total  Air Products  BOC  SE  NE 
			  Satisfaction level  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage 
			 Satisfied 2,914 95 1,685 95 604 95 430 95 196 97 
			 Dissatisfied 95 3 49 3 21 3 20 4 4 2 
			 Other 56 2 35 2 14 2 4 1 2 1 
			 Total respondents 3,065 — 1,769 — 639 — 455 — 202 — 
		
	
	
		
			  Question 8—satisfaction with day-to-day aspects of the Home Oxygen Service and equipment—ease of using your equipment 
			 Home Oxygen Supplier 
			  Air Liquide 
			   Total  Air Products  BOC  SE  NE 
			  Satisfaction level  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage 
			 Satisfied 2,917 95 1,683 95 604 95 138 96 191 95 
			 Dissatisfied 33 1 23 1 5 1 4 1 2 1 
			 Other 115 4 63 4 30 4 13 3 9 4 
			 Total respondents 3,065 — 1,769 — 639 — 455 — 202 — 
		
	
	
		
			  Question 16—whether respondent is confident that they can use home oxygen equipment safely 
			 Home Oxygen Supplier 
			  Air Liquide 
			   Total  Air Products  BOC  SE  NE 
			  Satisfaction level  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage 
			 Satisfied 2,917 95 1,685 95 608 95 429 94 194 96 
			 Dissatisfied 21 1 9 1 8 1 3 1 1 1 
			 Other 127 4 75 4 23 4 23 5 7 3 
			 Total respondents 3,065 — 1,769 — 639 — 455 — 202  
		
	
	
		
			  Question 27—satisfaction with aspects of most recent urgent call out requested—the action taken by your home oxygen supplier in response to your urgent call out 
			 Home Oxygen Supplier 
			  Air Liquide 
			   Total  Air Products  BOC  SE  NE 
			  Satisfaction level  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage 
			 Satisfied 367 88 225 88 69 93 56 82 17 88 
			 Dissatisfied 20 5 10 4 1 2 8 12 1 4 
			 Other 30 7 21 8 6 5 6 6 2 8 
			 Total respondents 417 — 256 — 74 — 68 — 20 — 
		
	
	
		
			  Question 36—whether you think the Home Oxygen Service has improved, stayed the same or got worse in the last 12 months 
			 Home Oxygen Supplier 
			  Air Liquide 
			   Total  Air Products  BOC  SE  NE 
			  Satisfaction level  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage 
			 Improved 493 16 299 17 97 15 63 14 34 17 
			 Stayed the same 1,854 60 1,101 62 360 56 276 61 117 58 
			 Got worse 32 1 17 1 4 1 10 2 2 1 
			 Other 686 23 352 20 178 28 106 23 49 24 
			 Total respondents 3,065 — 1,769 — 639 — 455 — 202 —

Performance Appraisal

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff in his Department did not achieve an acceptable assessment grade in their annual report in the latest reporting year for which figures are available.

Ben Bradshaw: In 2007-08, the performance of staff in the Department up to Grade 6 was assessed as Excellent, Good or Unsatisfactory. With a small number of assessments still to be confirmed, 10 staff were assessed as Unsatisfactory, representing 0.5 per cent. of the total. Performance arrangements for staff in the Senior Civil Service are common across all Departments. In 2007-08 there was no one in the Department whose performance was assessed as unacceptable.

Tuberculosis: Vaccination

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on administering BCG vaccines to children in education but not resident in high tuberculosis incidence areas in the last 12 months; how many of these supported such an extension to the BCG vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department has received very low levels of correspondence on this issue. Of the letters that the Department did receive, most supported an extension to the BCG programme.
	However, the Department moved to a selective policy following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
	Having reviewed all available scientific and epidemiological evidence, the JCVI recommended from September 2005 that a targeted approach to vaccination should be introduced to replace the national schools BCG programme.
	The key reasons behind this decision were:
	the primary role of the BCG vaccination is to protect individuals at high risk of exposure to tuberculosis (TB);
	since the introduction of the schools based BGC programme the epidemiology of TB has changed from a disease of the general population in tine 1950s to one of predominately high-risk groups;
	targeted BCG vaccination means that the majority of children at high risk of TB exposure will now be vaccinated earlier in life than under the previous policy;
	the BCG is most effective at preventing severe forms of TB in infants and young children; and
	protection decreases with time but repeated vaccination does not appear to offer any additional protection.
	JCVI reviewed its advice in 2007 and concluded that the evidence continued to support the Department of Health policy. A copy of the JCVI advice on this issue is available at:
	http://www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/jcvi/bcg-jcvi-statement_updateAug2007.pdf

Tysabri

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions for Tysabri have been issued in each of the last two years, broken down by  (a) NHS region and  (b) age of recipient.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department does not hold information on the number of prescriptions that are issued, only those that are issued and then dispensed. Information is not collected on which patients are prescribed drugs, so it is not possible to determine the age of a patient. There have been no prescriptions for Tysabri (natalizumab) dispensed in the community in England in the period requested.
	The Intercontinental Marketing Service hospital pharmacy audit index indicates that for all strategic health authorities (SHAs) in England, there were 0.2 thousand packs of the drug administered in 2007 and 0.3 thousand packs in the period January to March 2008. There is no recorded use of the drug prior to 2007. Due to the disclosive nature of the data, it is not possible to present it by individual SHA.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Departmental Older Workers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many people recruited by his Department in 2007-08 were aged over  (a) 55 years and  (b) 60 years; and what percentage this represented of the number of new recruits in each case.

Tom Watson: I refer the hon. Member to the response given to the hon. Member for Upper Bann (David Simpson) on 3 November 2008,  Official Report, column 22W.

Government Departments: Absenteeism

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what guidance the Cabinet Office provides to other Government departments on statistics to be collected on absenteeism levels of their staff and staff of the public bodies for which they are responsible.

Tom Watson: Cabinet Office guidance is that Government Departments should collect sickness absence statistics on a quarterly basis.

Government Departments: Internet

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what websites government communications jobs are advertised to the public.

Tom Watson: Individual Departments are responsible for advertising their jobs.
	The Government Communication Network (GCN) advises that Government communications jobs which are open to the public are advertised on the Civil Service Recruitment Gateway.

Higher Civil Servants

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what guidance is provided to senior civil servants on holding shares in companies from which they procure services.

Tom Watson: The rules and guidelines for civil servants on holding shares and other investments are set out in the "Civil Service Code" and the "Civil Service Management Code".
	Copies of the codes are available in the Libraries of the House.

INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS

Adult Education

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills when the response to the consultation on informal adult learning will be published.

Si�n Simon: Informal Adult LearningShaping the Way Ahead started an important debate about the role and nature of informal adult learning in the 21st century. The response to the consultation exceeded expectations, with around 5,500 responses. We published the Central Office for Information's consultation report and the DIUS response on our website on Thursday 9 October.
	Informal adult learning is highly valued by Government. We recognise the significant contribution it makes to the quality of life, health and well-being of individuals, neighbourhoods and wider society. We have made an unequivocal commitment to sustain its funding, with 210 million available every year until the end of the comprehensive spending review period.
	DIUS officials are now developing the proposals arising from the consultation, working closely with a wide range of stakeholders. These policy proposals will pave the way towards a new informal adult learning strategy to be published early next year.

Construction: Education

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many people in each region enrolled on courses for each level of qualification in construction at further education colleges in each of the last 10 years.

Si�n Simon: Table 1 shows the number of enrolments on construction courses in further education colleges by level of course and region, for 2002-03 to 2006-07, the latest year for which fully audited data is available. Comparable information is not available prior to the formation of the Learning and Skills Council in 2001.
	
		
			  Table 1: Enrolments on construction courses in FE colleges by notional level of course and region of learner: 2002-03 
			   Notional Level of Aim 
			  Region  Level 1 and Entry Level  Level 2  Level 3  Level 4, 5  o r Higher  Other  Total 
			 East Of England 3,680 7,450 3,020 480 3,950 18,580 
			 East Midlands 3,690 7,040 3,600 630 6,570 21,530 
			 Greater London 7,170 9,380 5,980 740 5,290 28,560 
			 North East 3,590 4,160 1,120 310 4,140 13,330 
			 North West 7,170 10,200 8,260 1,000 8,940 35,570 
			 South East 6,090 12,430 9,090 600 8,950 37,150 
			 South West 5,290 5,700 4,440 420 10,310 26,160 
			 West Midlands 7,100 7,640 4,390 470 3,620 23,210 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 6,820 7,710 3,940 670 5,320 24,470 
			 Region not Known 1,260 3,130 1,570 180 1,750 7,890 
			 Total 51,870 74,850 45,400 5,500 58,840 236,460 
		
	
	
		
			  Enrolments on construction courses at FE colleges in 2003-04 
			   Notional Level of Aim 
			  Region  Level 1 and Entry Level  Level 2  Level 3  Level 4, 5 o r Higher  Other  Total 
			 East Of England 4,180 8,610 2,380 450 2,520 18,140 
			 East Midlands 4,240 8,230 2,320 570 4,610 19,960 
			 Greater London 8,390 9,580 3,650 680 4,100 26,390 
			 North East 4,850 5,610 1,360 280 4,250 16,340 
			 North West 8,550 10,170 5,820 990 6,250 31,790 
			 South East 7,150 14,190 4,430 620 7,110 33,490 
			 South West 6,290 7,990 2,650 390 5,210 22,530 
			 West Midlands 7,000 7,090 2,640 350 2,780 19,870 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 6,250 7,880 3,220 610 5,500 23,450 
			 Region not Known 1,230 2,690 790 150 1,360 6,220 
			 Total 58,140 82,030 29,250 5,070 43,680 218,170 
		
	
	
		
			  Enrolments on construction courses at FE Colleges in 2004-05 
			   Notional Level of Aim 
			  Region  Level 1 and Entry Level  Level 2  Level 3  Level 4, 5 or Higher  Other  Total 
			 East Of England 2,440 7,860 3,780 550 1,070 15,700 
			 East Midlands 2,150 7,850 2,700 620 930 14,250 
			 Greater London 3,150 9,120 4,010 700 2,630 19,610 
			 North East 2,430 6,760 1,600 380 1,130 12,300 
			 North West 5,220 12,710 6,340 1,100 1,320 26,680 
			 South East 4,100 14,720 5,190 710 3,890 28,610 
			 South West 3,290 7,330 3,590 610 3,660 18,470 
			 West Midlands 3,360 7,600 3,250 430 1,080 15,710 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 3,860 8,630 3,660 710 650 17,510 
			 Region not Known 700 1,960 750 170 510 4,090 
			 Total 30,700 84,530 34,850 5,970 16,860 172,920 
		
	
	
		
			  Enrolments on construction courses at FE colleges in 2005-06 
			   Notional Level of Aim 
			  Region  Level 1 and Entry Level  Level 2  Level 3  Level 4, 5 Or Higher  Other  Total 
			 East Of England 2,970 7,090 2,890 540 1,680 15,160 
			 East Midlands 2,970 7,690 2,470 640 410 14,170 
			 Greater London 4,340 8,660 3,490 720 2,160 19,350 
			 North East 2,550 7,270 1,810 390 1,020 13,040 
			 North West 5,890 12,020 6,130 900 1,030 25,960 
			 South East 4,760 12,800 4,900 790 3,000 26,240 
			 South West 3,610 6,720 3,010 590 3,050 16,980 
			 West Midlands 4,280 7,150 2,810 390 770 15,400 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 4,460 7,890 3,890 610 560 17,410 
			 Region not Known 670 2,100 830 160 690 4,450 
			 Total 36,480 79,380 32,220 5,740 14,350 168,170 
		
	
	
		
			  Enrolments on construction courses at FE colleges in 2006-07 
			   Notional Level of Aim 
			  Region  Level 1 and Entry Level  Level 2  Level 3  Level 4, 5 o r Higher  Other  Total 
			 East Of England 4,210 6,320 2,340 490 520 13,870 
			 East Midlands 3,910 7,460 2,300 540 650 14,870 
			 Greater London 5,750 7,350 2,680 720 1,280 17,780 
			 North East 2,860 6,530 1,950 410 1,090 12,840 
			 North West 6,340 11,230 4,930 970 1,160 24,630 
			 South East 5,880 11,380 3,740 730 3,030 24,760 
			 South West 4,080 7,470 2,780 600 2,470 17,400 
			 West Midlands 5,520 6,910 2,520 470 1,150 16,570 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 5,690 7,010 3,350 750 640 17,440 
			 Region not Known 520 1,080 570 110 300 2,580 
			 Total 44,740 72,750 27,160 5,780 12,290 162,720 
			  Notes: 1. Figures may not sum to totals due to rounding. 2. Region is based on learner's home postcode. 3. 'Sector Subject Area' has been used to identify construction courses from 2004-05. Prior to this the concept of 'Sector Subject Area' did not apply, and so 'Area of Learning' has been used. 4. These figures include both LSC-funded and non-LSC funded courses. 5. Region not known includes those learners living outside of England, and those learners with a blank or incorrect postcode.

Copyright Tribunal

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills when he expects to announce the composition of the new Copyright Tribunal.

David Lammy: The IPO has agreed a timetable with the Judicial Appointments Commission to recruit a Deputy Chairperson. The appointment will be announced in early April 2009. In addition the eight new lay members to be appointed to the tribunal will also be announced in April 2009.

Copyright Tribunal

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills when he expects to decide on the right of collecting societies to take cases to the Copyright Tribunal.

David Lammy: The IPO is analysing a number of issues in relation to the jurisdiction of the Copyright Tribunal. I expect this work to have been completed, and to be in a position to bring forward proposals, in 2009.

Departmental Conditions of Employment

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what percentage of employees in his Department are  (a) on a flexible working contract,  (b) on a job share employment contract and  (c) work from home for more than four hours a week.

Si�n Simon: Any member of staff can request a change to their working pattern and line managers consider requests in line with the Department's policy and guidance.
	13 per cent. of all staff work part-time but information is not held centrally on how many job share and information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	There is one person who has a formal home-working contract and works more than four hours a week from home.

Departmental ICT

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many  (a) memory sticks,  (b) laptop computers,  (c) desktop computers,  (d) hard drives and  (e) mobile telephones were (i) lost by and (ii) stolen from his Department in each year since its inception.

Si�n Simon: The records do not distinguish between lost and stolen items.
	
		
			   2007-08  2008 to date 
			  (a) memory sticks one lost and subsequently recovered. None 
			  (b) laptop computers one lost and subsequently recovered None 
			  (c) desktop computers None None 
			 (d) hard drives None None 
			  (e) mobile telephones 2 2

Departmental Written Questions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what proportion of Questions for written answer tabled to his Department in each month of the current parliamentary Session were answered within  (a) one week,  (b) one fortnight and  (c) one month.

Si�n Simon: The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

English Language: Immigrants

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many places were available on English for Speakers of Other Languages courses for immigrants in each of the last 10 years.

Si�n Simon: Since 2001, the Government fund English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses through the Skills for Life strategy as part of the Learning and Skills Council's (LSC's) overall adult skills budget.
	The data collected by LSC cover all eligible ESOL learners in England whether they are long-term residents or recently arrived in the UK.
	Providers are not required to hold a specific number of ESOL places but rather meet learner demand within the funds allocated. The data collected shows the number of enrolments by learners on courses with Skills for Life ESOL learning aim.
	
		
			   Learning aims enrolled 
			 2001/02 302,254 
			 2002/03 409,749 
			 2003/04 455,080 
			 2004/05 538,681 
			 2005/06 549,558 
			 2006/07 335,232

Higher Education: Admissions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many UK-domiciled undergraduate students studied at universities in England in 2006-07.

David Lammy: In the 2006-07 academic year there were 1,356,055 UK domiciled undergraduate enrolments at English higher education institutions.

Higher Education: Admissions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many students there are for doctoral degrees at each university in England.

David Lammy: Figures are given in the following table. The latest period for which figures are available is the 2006/07 academic year; figures for the 2007/08 academic year will be available in late January 2009.
	
		
			  Doctorate enrolments( 1)  by higher education institutionEnglish higher education institutions 
			  2006/07 academic year 
			  Higher education institution  Doctorate enrolments 
			 Open University 780 
			 Cranfield University 960 
			 Royal College of Art 40 
			 Royal College of Nursing 5 
			 Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College 45 
			 Central School of Speech and Drama 10 
			 University of Chester 40 
			 Canterbury Christ Church University 310 
			 York St. John University 25 
			 College of St. Mark and St John 5 
			 Partington College of Arts 45 
			 Edge Hill University 20 
			 University College Falmouth 5 
			 Harper Adams University College 25 
			 University of Winchester 80 
			 Liverpool Hope University 25 
			 University of the Arts, London 80 
			 University of Bedfordshire 135 
			 University of Northampton 105 
			 Newman College of Higher Education 5 
			 Roehampton University 140 
			 Royal Academy of Music 10 
			 Royal College of Music 20 
			 Southampton Solent University 25 
			 St. Martin's College 50 
			 St. Mary's University College, Twickenham 10 
			 Leeds Trinity and All Saints 5 
			 University of Worcester 95 
			 Anglia Ruskin University 295 
			 Bath Spa University 60 
			 University of Bolton 110 
			 Bournemouth University 170 
			 University of Brighton 300 
			 University of Central England in Birmingham 110 
			 University of Central Lancashire 290 
			 University of Gloucestershire 155 
			 Coventry University 285 
			 University of Derby 200 
			 University of East London 690 
			 University of Greenwich 210 
			 University of Hertfordshire 400 
			 University of Huddersfield 300 
			 University of Lincoln 240 
			 Kingston University 385 
			 Leeds Metropolitan University 270 
			 Liverpool John Moores University 270 
			 Manchester Metropolitan University 465 
			 Middlesex University 345 
			 De Montfort University 395 
			 University of Northumbria at Newcastle 450 
			 Nottingham Trent University 440 
			 Oxford Brookes University 250 
			 University of Plymouth 540 
			 University of Portsmouth 460 
			 Sheffield Hallam University 460 
			 London South Bank University 205 
			 Staffordshire University 205 
			 University of Sunderland 250 
			 University of Teesside 225 
			 Thames Valley University 55 
			 University of the West of England, Bristol 640 
			 University of Chichester 15 
			 University of Westminster 205 
			 University of Wolverhampton 185 
			 Aston University 335 
			 University of Bath 920 
			 University of Birmingham 3,190 
			 University of Bradford 460 
			 University of Bristol 2,220 
			 Brunei University 960 
			 University of Cambridge 5,455 
			 City University 695 
			 University of Durham 1,535 
			 University of East Anglia 1,250 
			 University of Essex 1,215 
			 University of Exeter 1,285 
			 University of Hull 705 
			 University of Keele 535 
			 University of Kent 470 
			 University of Lancaster 990 
			 University of Leeds 2,465 
			 University of Leicester 1,735 
			 University of Liverpool 1,320 
			 Birkbeck College 465 
			 Goldsmiths College 615 
			 Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine 1,155 
			 Institute of Education 380 
			 King's College London 1,690 
			 London Business School 70 
			 London School of Economics and Political Science 1,050 
			 London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine 135 
			 Queen Mary and Westfield College 780 
			 Royal Holloway and Bedford New College 930 
			 Royal Veterinary College 150 
			 St. George's Hospital Medical School 200 
			 School of Oriental and African Studies 745 
			 School of Pharmacy 150 
			 University College London 1,440 
			 University of London (Institutes and activities) 120 
			 Loughborough University 1,100 
			 University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne 2,390 
			 University of Nottingham 3,335 
			 University of Oxford 5,040 
			 University of Reading 1,110 
			 University of Salford 570 
			 University of Sheffield 1,985 
			 University of Southampton 2,500 
			 University of Surrey 1,445 
			 University of Sussex 1,190 
			 University of Warwick 1,905 
			 University of York 1,425 
			 Institute of Cancer Research 100 
			 Norwich School of Art and Design 5 
			 Royal Agricultural College 15 
			 Conservatoire for Dance and Drama 5 
			 Courtauld Institute of Art 110 
			 London Metropolitan University 255 
			 University of Buckingham 40 
			 University of Manchester 4,470 
			 Heythrop College 35 
			 University College for the Creative Arts at Canterbury 35 
			 Total 80,490 
			 (1) Figures cover enrolments from all domiciles on full-time and part-time courses.  Notes: Figures are on a HESA Standard Registration Population (SRP) basis and are rounded to the nearest five therefore components may not sum to the total.  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Student Record

Higher Education: Part-Time Education

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many and what proportion of  (a) undergraduate and  (b) postgraduate students studied part-time in each year since 2002-03.

David Lammy: Figures are given in the following table. The latest period for which figures are available is the 2006-07 academic year; figures for the 2007-08 academic year will be available in late January 2009.
	
		
			  Total enrolments( 1)  and part-time enrolments by level of study English higher education institutions 2002-03 to 2006-07 academic years 
			   Total undergraduates  Of which part-time  Total postgraduates  Of which part-time 
			  Academic year   Number  Proportion   Number  Proportion 
			 2002-03 1,390,920 492,325 35.4 416,745 243,170 58.4 
			 2003-04 1,428,430 503,440 35.2 439,985 253,440 57.6 
			 2004-05 1,448,385 503,265 34.7 447,440 256,780 57.4 
			 2005-06 1,481,985 505,165 34.1 454,435 257,705 56.7 
			 2006-07 1,494,760 508,955 34.0 462,430 260,605 56.4 
			 (1) Figures cover enrolments from all domiciles.  Note: Figures are on a HESA Standard Registration Population (SRP) basis. Numbers are rounded to the nearest five and proportions are rounded to one decimal place.  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Student Record.

Higher Education: Plagiarism

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills if he will bring forward proposals to prevent the use of essay mills by university students.

David Lammy: Universities, as autonomous bodies, are responsible for determining what policies should be in place to detect plagiarism and to decide appropriate disciplinary action. Universities also determine what advice should be provided to their students on plagiarism. The Quality Assurance Agency's code of practice, the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) and the Higher Education Academy provide advice and guidance to universities on dealing with this issue. JISC includes on its Plagiarism Advisory Service website a list of well-known European and US essay bank websites, to make academics and teachers aware of these sites. Academics can use examples from these sites to demonstrate how essays used from such sources are often of poor quality and can be identified during their marking.

Learning and Skills Council: Accountancy

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what proportion of payments by the Learning and Skills Council were made within 30 days of the receipt of the invoice in the last period for which figures are available.

Si�n Simon: The payment detail of this kind is not collected by my Department. This is an operational matter which is carried out by the Learning and Skills Council. Mark Haysom, the council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Gentleman with further information. A copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.

Students: Fess and Charges

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much has been collected by universities in tuition fees in each year since such fees were introduced.

David Lammy: The required information is contained in the Resources of Higher Education Institutions Volumes which are published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) which are held in the House of Commons Library.
	The figures in the volumes contain all tuition fees not just those which are regulated.

Students: Finance

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much his Department has spent on  (a) fee and  (b) maintenance grants for part-time students in each year since 2005.

David Lammy: The current part-time support package was introduced in 2004 consisting of a course grant to help pay for books, travel and other course costs and a grant towards fees. Course grants and fee grants are income assessed, but they are non-repayable and there is no upper age limit.
	Part-time students are not eligible for maintenance grants.
	The following data relate to England.
	
		
			   million 
			  Academic year  Fee grant  Course grant 
			 2005-06 20.0 9.8 
			 2006-07 26.5 11.12 
			 2007-08 Not yet available

Students: Loans

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the value of student loan debt is that was previously sold off to banks, and is now held by the Bank of England.

David Lammy: The Government sold two tranches of student loan debt valued at approximately 1 billion each in 1998 and 1999 respectively. The outstanding loan balances now stand at approximately 400 million each. The public/private sector relationship between DIUS and the two private sector owners of student loan debt, Finance for Higher Education Ltd., and Honours Trustees Ltd. remains that of liaison on equity of treatment for graduate borrowers whether or not their loans are in the private sector or public sector ownership. The private sector owners are funded by widely distributed investments. Details of individual investors are not held by DIUS.

Students: Voluntary Work

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what plans the Government has to provide additional financial support to students undertaking voluntary work.

David Lammy: Volunteering, by its very nature is normally unfunded activity in higher education and elsewhere.
	From September 2008 the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills has funded the pathfinder phase of the new Aimhigher Associates scheme. The aim of the Aimhigher Associate scheme is to interest and engage young people in higher education by bringing together potential and actual undergraduates in mentoring relationships. Aimhigher Associates will be a national programme, delivered through Aimhigher Partnerships. The Aimhigher Associates themselves will receive 40 per day for the time they commit to the scheme. This is the same remuneration as Student Associate Scheme mentors receive through the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
	In addition, students doing volunteering activities may receive funding for expenses from their universities, or the organisations they are undertaking volunteering with, for the projects they are involved in.

Vocational Training: Business

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what estimate he has made of the overall level of co-funding by  (a) adults and  (b) employers to Learning and Skills Council 19+ employer responsive provision, including adult apprenticeships, 19+ Train to Gain funding and 19+ employer-based NVQs.

Si�n Simon: Government funding is focused on supporting people to gain the basic platform of skills for entering and progressing in sustained employment. This is reflected in the balance of responsibility between Government, learners and employers in meeting the costs of training with learners and employers contributing more to the costs where they see the greatest private returns. We do not specify whether the contribution towards the cost of a course comes from the learner or the employer.
	For 2008-09, the funding a college or provider receives for a course through the adult learner responsive model is based on an assumption that a contribution of 42.5 per cent. is made towards the costs of the course. Learners who are on income related benefits or studying a Skills for Life basic literacy or numeracy qualification, a first full level 2 or first for level 3 qualification (where they are aged under 25 year olds) will not have to pay fees.
	Within Train to Gain (which now includes all NVQs delivered in the workplace) there is an assumed contribution where the learner is aged over 25 years and studying at level 3 or above. For Adult Apprenticeships, the funding is based a contribution broadly in line with the national fee assumption.
	In all cases it is for the college or provider to determine the actual level of contribution towards the cost of the course and how this contribution is made. It is therefore not possible to provide information on the total level of co-funding made in respect of specific courses.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of his Department's personnel are in each province of  (a) Afghanistan and  (b) Iraq; and what functions they are carrying out in each case.

Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office currently employs the following number of UK based staff in Afghanistan and Iraq:
	
		
			   Number 
			 Afghanistan 74 
			 Iraq 47 
		
	
	Many of our staff perform a variety of functions, it is therefore not possible to give a detailed breakdown of the functions carried out by individual members of staff.

Afghanistan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the unit cost is for a member of his Department's staff to be based in  (a) Afghanistan and  (b) Iraq; and what the breakdown of the cost is in each case.

David Miliband: The annual unit cost directly associated with a Foreign and Commonwealth Office UK-based member of staff posted to Afghanistan or Iraq varies according to grade. The average unit cost for Afghanistan is 252,855 and 484,252 for Iraq. Salary costs include salary, pension contributions and national insurance payments; travel, start up and end of tour costs and living allowances. The breakdown is as follows:
	
		
			   
			   Afghanistan  Iraq 
			 Salary, pension and NI 67,078 49,654 
			 Allowances (including travel) 61,713 79,514 
			 Security 124,054 341,243 
			 Accommodation 8,215 23,841 
			 Total 261,060 494,252

Afghanistan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost to his Department of civilian deployments alongside the military in conflict stabilisation work in Afghanistan and Iraq, referred to in paragraph 10 of the Government's response to the Foreign Affairs Committee First Report of Session 2007-08, was in the last financial year for which figures are available.

David Miliband: In the financial year 2007-08, the global conflict prevention pool, which was shared with the Department for International Development and the Ministry of Defence, spent 6.9 million in deploying civilian experts to Iraq and 2.3 million in deploying civilian experts to Helmand. In addition, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office spent 4.8 million in deploying the Department's own staff to the provincial reconstruction team in Helmand.

Afghanistan: Interpreters

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many interpreters are employed by his Department in Afghanistan.

David Miliband: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office currently employs 18 interpreters in Afghanistan (in financial year 2008-09). This is an overall increase of four locally engaged interpreters from the previous financial year.

Afghanistan: Politics and Government

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government plans to take to assist Afghanistan in its democratic development.

Bill Rammell: The Government are undertaking a series of programmes to promote democracy in Afghanistan, across a range of issues. This includes supporting the forthcoming elections, educating the electorate, helping build solid institutional capacity, delivering security, protecting and promoting human rights, including freedom of expression, and encouraging political participation.
	The Government gave over 20 million to support the 2004-05 Afghan elections, and we are committed to presidential, parliamentary and provincial council elections going ahead in 2009-10. So far this year we have given 6 million to support the Afghan Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to conduct voter registration and we are working closely with the UN on election planning.
	Our armed forces continue to work hard with their Afghan counterparts to provide the broader security needed for voter registration and elections to take place, and as in 2004-05, they are also ready to provide wider logistical support if needed.
	Across Afghanistan the IEC is also conducting voter outreachhelping the Afghan electorate to understand both the importance of voting and how they can decide the future of their country. Education is vital to help voters make informed choices, and in 2007-08 we provided 55 million to the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund to help finance the salaries of over 100,000 teachers. These resources have contributed to the increase of pupils enrolled in school from two million in 2002 to around six million today.
	Freedom of expression, particularly for the media, is key to creating the space necessary for political debate. We have raised our concerns in individual cases where journalists' freedom has been threatened. We are also working with both the BBC World Service and the BBC World Service Trust (the World Service's charitable arm) on projects to improve and develop the media in Afghanistan. For example, we are involving female Afghan journalists in 'Afghan's Woman's Hour' which informs and empowers women in Afghanistan.
	A key component of democratic development is ensuring women have a vote and are represented in both Parliament and government. In the 2005 elections, over 40 per cent. of those who voted were womena major step forward from life under the Taliban. In addition 27 per cent. of seats in the Lower House of the Afghan Parliament are now held by women. There is currently one female Afghan Minister and one female Governor.
	Since 2001 we have committed over 1.65 billion to aid the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan. Around 80 per cent. of our current aid to Afghanistan is channelled through the democratically elected Afghan government, to help strengthen both its capacity and legitimacy. On the ground in Helmand, we are also working hard with the local Governor to ensure that the Afghan government deliver basic services for their people.
	It is a large task and a long-term endeavour, but these combined approaches to democratic development in Afghanistan are ensuring that gradual progress is being made.

Asylum: EC Action

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials have had with the European Commission on the Commission's forthcoming announcement on asylum policy; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The UK remains in close contact with the European Commission, and regularly updates the Commission on UK asylum policy. The European Commission presented the Policy Plan on Asylum on 17 Junesetting out a road map for the next stage of the Common European Asylum System. The Commission is due to present proposals for two of the instruments of the Common European Asylum Systemthe Dublin II/Eurodac regulation and the Reception Conditions directivein December. The UK will carefully consider these proposals ahead of the opt-in deadline next year.

China: Human Rights

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what resources his Department plans to allocate to work on human rights in China over the next three years.

Gillian Merron: Human rights work is a key part of our engagement with China and we continue to commit considerable resources to it. As well as a number of officers working full-time on human rights and governance issues in London and the embassy in Beijing, human rights work features in the responsibilities of a large number of other officials at all levels, including the ambassador in Beijing and director Asia-Pacific in London. Project funding is reviewed annually and the amount we receive can vary from year to year. The FCO has recently approved 660,000 of funding for new projects over the next three years under the Strategic Programme Fund Human Rights and Democracy Programme and additional bids will be considered. We also provide grant in aid funding to the Great Britain-China Centre, which carries out a number of projects on human rights and rule of law in China.

Christmas

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Christmas functions  (a) he,  (b) officials from his Department and  (c) officials from its executive agencies (i) hosted and (ii) attended in 2007-08; what the cost to the public purse was; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary held one official Christmas function for Ministers and members of the press which cost 9,313. He paid for his own tickets for an FCO staff and families Christmas party and hosted a small reception for his Private Office team at no cost to the public purse. He also attended a reception hosted by the Leader of the House of Commons, the right hon. Harriet Harman.
	The other information requested in the hon. Member's question is not held centrally and could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

Conferences

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Prime Minister's Progressive Governance Conference involved costs to the public purse.

David Miliband: The Progressive Governance Conference on 4 April was organised by Policy Network. No Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) funds were spent on this event.
	The Progressive Governance Summit on 5 April was jointly organised by the Government and Policy Network. The cost to the FCO of organising this event was 287,790.92.

Cuba: Overseas Trade

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with the government of the United States on the position of British companies which trade with Cuba; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The Government strongly oppose excessive assertions of extraterritorial jurisdiction, by other states on UK individuals and/or companies; in particular the excessive use of unjustified trade sanctions.
	We have made our opposition to US policy, on trade with Cuba, clear through our vote every year against the US embargo on Cuba at the UN General Assembly. This includes extraterritorial aspects of US legislation. The last vote took place on 29 October 2008.

Departmental Air Travel

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer to my right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) of 14 July 2008,  Official Report, column 27W, on carbon emissions: Government departments, how much air mileage incurred through departmental travel was used to calculate the departmental payment to the Government Carbon Offsetting Fund in each year that his Department has participated in the fund, broken down by  (a) domestic,  (b) short haul and  (c) long haul flights.

Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not participate in the Government Carbon Offsetting Fund (GCOF). The FCO off-sets official air travel for Ministers and officials in the UK through the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership, an arrangement which predates the creation of GCOF.

Departmental Alcoholic Drinks

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at how many events held by his Department  (a) wine and  (b) Fairtrade wine were served in the last three years; and what assessment his Department has made of the merits of serving Fairtrade wine at future events.

Gillian Merron: In the last three years, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) in-house catering supplier has managed 357 events where wine was served. Government hospitality, part of FCO Protocol Directorate, provides official hospitality for events hosted by Government ministers. Over the last three years, Government hospitality organised 632 events at which wine was served or available.
	None of the wines used at these events were Fairtrade. However, while the FCO does not have mandatory requirements in place for the procurement or provision of Fairtrade products, we are committed to improving market access to producers in developing countries through increased participation in fair and sustainable supply chains. Fairtrade wines are an option made available by the FCO's in-house caterers.

Departmental Assets

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs over what period his Department depreciates the asset value of its  (a) vehicles,  (b) computer hardware,  (c) bespoke computer software,  (d) standard computer software,  (e) furniture and  (f) telecommunications equipment.

Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office depreciates its tangible and intangible assets over periods consistent with the accounting standards laid out in FReM, the Government's Financial Reporting Manual, (Section 5.2.4).

Departmental Data Protection

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many data security breaches have been notified to the Information Commissioner by his Department and its agencies in the last 12 months.

Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office wrote to the Information Commissioner on three occasions in the last 12 months to inform him about potential data losses. Details are given in the departmental report for 2007-08 which can be accessed at the following website address:
	www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-the-fco/publications/annual-reports/departmental-report.

Departmental Disciplinary Proceedings

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the five most serious disciplinary breaches in his Department were in the last 12 months; and what steps were taken in response to each breach.

Gillian Merron: The five most serious disciplinary breaches by UK-based staff (members of the diplomatic service and home civil servants serving at home or overseas) in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office since 14 August 2007 were:
	2 cases of gross misconduct which resulted in the officers' dismissal;
	2 cases of gross misconduct which resulted in a final written warning on the officers' files, to remain on the files indefinitely;
	A case of misconduct which resulted in a final written warning on the officer's file for 12 months.
	In those cases above where officers were not dismissed, other penalties were imposed in addition to final written warnings. In two cases a ban on taking up a diplomatic service appointment overseas for three years was imposed. In one case an officer, who had been on temporary promotion, was downgraded with immediate effect to their substantive grade.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has detailed guidance on our misconduct procedures which is accessible to all staff. They apply to all UK-based officers working for the FCO. A conduct adviser in the human resources directorate advises officers and their line-managers on how to implement the misconduct procedures and ensures best practice across the office. Additionally, our posts overseas have specific misconduct procedures in place, based on local law, which are applicable to locally-engaged staff.

Departmental Expert Groups

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what expert groups his Department set up in each year since 1999.

Gillian Merron: Expert groups may be established at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London, or at any of the FCO's overseas posts. However such information is not held centrally and therefore could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental ICT

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to ensure that counterfeit routers and other counterfeit hardware are not utilised in his Department's computer networks.

Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office obtains computer equipment through robust contractual arrangements with reputable suppliers and takes all necessary steps to ensure that the resulting systems conform to relevant security and other operating standards.

Departmental Papers

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of paper used  (a) for photocopying and  (b) in printed publications by his Department was from recycled sources in each of the last two years.

Gillian Merron: This information is not held centrally. To answer the question we would need to consult a wide range of internal Departments and posts world-wide. This could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Public Relations

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have been seconded to public relations or public affairs firms or consultancies in each of the last five years.

Gillian Merron: Seven Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff are currently on secondment to public relations and public affairs firms and organisations. None of the secondments involve staff from the FCO's agencies.
	Figures on the number of secondments were not collated between 2002-07 and cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost.

Departmental Reorganisation

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 23 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 52-3WS, on the new strategic framework, what  (a) resources and  (b) numbers of staff within his Department are currently assigned to (i) counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation, (ii) climate change and (iii) reform of international institutions.

David Miliband: 2006-07 is the last year for which records of spend against objectives are available for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
	The net operating cost of all activities in support of the then Strategic Priority 1 (making the world safer from global terrorism and weapons of mass destruction) was 163.2 million. The net operating cost in support of the then Strategic Priority 6 (achieving climate security by promoting a faster transition to a sustainable, low carbon global economy) was 37.5 million. As the reform of international institutions was not an explicit priority for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at this time, we are unable to provide a figure for the level of resources assigned to this activity.
	These figures are published in the FCO's resource accounts, which are freely available on the departmental website.
	The latest available figures, from an exercise completed in September 2007, show that the number of FCO staff (both UK based and locally engaged staff) assigned to the then Strategic Priority 1 is 551, the number assigned to the then Strategic Priority 6 is 203. We do not have figures available for the number of staff currently assigned to the reform of international institutions, since this only became an explicit priority for the FCO on 1 April 2008.

Departmental Sick Leave

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many sick days were taken by employees in  (a) his Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) the non-departmental bodies for which it has responsibility due to (i) stress and (ii) mental health and behavioural disorders in each of the last 10 years; what proportion of sick days taken this represented in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The following table sets out the total number of sickness absence days taken by UK civil servants employed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Wilton Park, an Executive agency of the FCO. It also shows, as a percentage, how much of this total was represented by absence due to stress or mental health illness. Records do not distinguish between sickness absence for stress and mental health and behavioural disorders.
	
		
			  Financial year  FCO  Wilton Park 
			  2005-06   
			 Total days of sickness absence 2,495 74 
			 Percentage represented by stress/mental health illness 9.8 6.5 
			
			  2006-07   
			 Total days of sickness absence 2,381 296 
			 Percentage represented by stress/mental health illness 10.6 25.6 
			
			  2007-08   
			 Total days of sickness absence 3,142 625 
			 Percentage represented by stress/mental health illness 13.5 56.2 
		
	
	The FCO does not hold records of staff sickness absence before 2005; nor do we have access to the sickness absence records of non-departmental public bodies for which the FCO has responsibility.

Diplomatic Service: Manpower

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason the overseas security officer posts at diplomatic posts in  (a) Beijing,  (b) Cairo,  (c) Moscow and  (d) Hong Kong were contracted out in 2000; what the cost of the contracts let to cover each of these posts was; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The contract for providing guards at diplomatic posts in Beijing, Cairo, Moscow and Hong Kong started in 2003. The cost of the contract, between financial years 2003-04 to 2007-08, is 4.09 million.

Diplomatic Service: Manpower

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the turnover of staff employed as overseas security officers under the Control Risks contract in each year since the contract was let; what the cost of this staff turnover to his Department has been; what discussions he has had with Control Risks on staff turnover issues; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) no longer employs overseas security officers. The FCO contracts for the provision of an agreed level of service. The turnover of staff is, therefore, primarily a matter for the contracting company.
	We have held regular contract review discussions with Control Risks, as part of our rigorous performance monitoring of the contract, at which turnover has featured.

Diplomatic Service: Recruitment

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests for advice or sharing of expertise concerning personnel recruitment in embassies, with particular reference to policy and management issues concerning the recruitment of locally employed staff, have been received from embassies in London and foreign services of EU partners in the last five years; what assistance or other response was given; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: We do not hold records centrally of approaches by embassies in London and by foreign services of EU partners on personnel recruitment in our missions. However, we are committed to sharing our own experience in these areas, and learning from others, and welcome this type of exchange with partners.

European Union Special Representatives

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who the European Union special representatives in post are.

Caroline Flint: Details of EU special representatives in post are published on the European Council website at:
	http://www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/showPage.asp?id= 263lang=EN
	summarised as follows:
	Marc Otte was appointed EUSR for the Middle East peace process on 14 July 2003;
	Erwan Four was appointed EUSR for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 17 October 2005;
	Peter Semneby was appointed EUSR for the South Caucasus on 20 February 2006;
	Pierre Morel was appointed EUSR for Central Asia on 5 October 2006;
	Roeland van de Geer was appointed EUSR for the Great Lakes Region on 14 February 2007;
	Klmn Mizsei was appointed EUSR for Moldova on 15 February 2007;
	Torben Brylle was appointed EU special representative (EUSR) for Sudan on 19 April 2007;
	Miroslav Lajck was appointed EUSR for Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 June 2007;
	Koen Vervaeke was appointed EUSR to the African Union (AU) on 6 December 2007;
	Pieter Feith was appointed EUSR in Kosovo on 4 February 2008;
	Ettore Francesco Sequi was appointed EUSR for Afghanistan on 24 July 2008; and
	Pierre Morel was also appointed EUSR for the crisis in Georgia on 25 September 2008.

Foreign Policy: Science

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times he has met the Government Chief Scientific Adviser to discuss the effect of scientific developments on foreign policy.

David Miliband: I have met the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor John Beddington, once since he was appointed in 2008.

France: EU Presidency

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on initiatives to be promoted by the French Presidency of the Council of Ministers.

Caroline Flint: The French presidency began on 1 July 2008 and ends on 31 December 2008. The presidency has had a full agenda on a wide range of issues which matter to EU citizens including climate change and migration. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office produces a Command Paper on each EU presidency every six months, and the Paper on the French presidency of the EU is currently in the Library of the House. It may also be accessed via the FCO website at: www.fco.gov.uk The Government have worked very closely with the French Government following the successful UK-France summit in March of this year.

Gaza: Human Trafficking

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions  (a) he,  (b) Ministers in his Department,  (c) officials in his Department,  (d) the British Ambassador to Egypt and  (e) officials in the British Embassy in Egypt have had with the Government of Egypt on the trafficking of (i) weapons and (ii) people into Gaza from Egypt via under-border tunnels; what response was received; what reports he has received on the number of tunnels between Gaza and Egypt that have been (A) discovered and (B) closed; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The UK welcomes any appropriate action taken to reduce trafficking of weapons and people into Gaza. Earlier in the year, we pressed Egypt to act on smuggling. With the number of tunnels being discovered and closed constantly changing, we are unable to provide a definitive figure, but we continue to monitor the situation.

Immigration: EC Action

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials have had with their French counterparts concerning the French EU Presidency's programme for EU asylum and immigration policy; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The UK has worked closely with France on its programme for EU asylum and immigration policy, the cornerstone of which has been the European pact on immigration and asylum. The pact was formally agreed by member states at the October European Council. We welcome the pact for the additional focus and momentum it brings to EU policy on migration and asylum. Officials and ministers met on a number of occasions to discuss the pact.

Intimidation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2008,  Official Report, column 763W, on intimidation, how many cases of bullying in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies were reported in each month of 2006.

Gillian Merron: The information requested is as follows:
	 (a) In the main Foreign and Commonwealth Office, three cases involving bullying were raised as internal grievances in March, June and August 2006. Of these, two were not upheld. One was partially upheld, meaning that the grievance would have had several elements to it, with evidence found to support some but not all of those elements.
	 (b) In the FCO Services Agency, there was one bullying allegation in January 2006 which resulted in a disciplinary penalty.

Iran: Politics and Government

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken by his Department to support pro-democracy student groups in Iran.

Bill Rammell: It is the longstanding policy of the UK, and the EU, to stand up for the internationally recognised principles to which so many Iranians aspire, including human rights, political freedoms and genuinely democratic, transparent and accountable government. We maintain contacts with a wide range of Iranians in many different fields (in and outside government) who work to support reform and the rule of law, including some connected to the Iranian student movement, which has historically been involved in the promotion of civil rights.
	We are concerned by the growing pressure facing student activists this year, and the Iranian Government's refusal to acknowledge the rights of student activist groups. Many have been arrested and imprisoned for taking part in activities in support of their rights, such as demonstrations on National University Students' Day; and student publications are often targeted and closed down. In July five students were arrested in Mashhad for pursuing the cases of other detained students. The EU, with strong UK support, regularly raises concerns about human rights violations with the Iranian authorities. A recent EU demarche, delivered on 6 October, raised specific concerns about the increased pressure on Iranian students and the large number of arrests in recent months.

Lucinda Lavelle

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will respond to the letter of 25 September from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on Ms Lucinda Lavelle, transferred to his Department by the Prime Minister.

David Miliband: I responded to my right hon. Friend on 7 November.

Ministers: Official Residences

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the television licence fee in his official Ministerial residence is paid for from public funds.

Gillian Merron: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary does not have an official residence. However he does have use of Chevening House in Sevenoaks, Kent. The licence fee for the television there is paid for by the Chevening Trust who administer the estate.

Montserrat: Immigration

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many  (a) illegal immigrants and  (b) asylum seekers there are in Montserrat; who pays for their accommodation and support; and how their future status will be determined.

Gillian Merron: At present, we understand there are no illegal immigrants in Montserrat, and there are 19 persons who have claimed asylum14 of whom are Sri Lankans, and five are Haitians. Working with the UK Government, the Government of Montserrat have interviewed and taken statements from each individual asylum seeker. At the same time, the Government of Montserrat are updating their immigration legislation to ensure its compliance with current international obligations, including the UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees 1951. The enactment of the updated immigration legislation is expected by the end of December 2008, after which a determination of the individual asylum claims will be both made and enforced.
	In the meantime, the Government of Montserrat have provided accommodation, and cover the costs of electricity and water. All 17 adults have been granted temporary work permits, and use their earnings to cover their food, transport and other personal costs, which ensure that costs to local government are minimised. The one school age child attends primary school free of charge.

National Security

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role he envisages for the Commonwealth in helping to deliver the National Security Strategy.

Bill Rammell: The Commonwealth is a useful forum for sharing ideas and experience. It does valuable work on promoting the rule of law and respect and understanding among all faiths and communities. It also works on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism. As such it has a potential role to play in helping to deliver the National Security Strategy, though primarily in support of the work of other international institutions. Member country officials will meet soon to consider the role the Commonwealth might play in this area in future.

Olympic Games

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials from his Department plan to attend the Beijing Olympic Games; to what purpose in each case; and what estimate he has made of the cost.

Bill Rammell: Lord Jones, in his role as Minister for Trade and Investment, was in Beijing from 21 to 26 August to promote British business capability, investment and partnership opportunities in general as well as specific business opportunities arising from hosting an Olympic Games. Lord Jones supported several key business events and initiatives and a delegation of UK businesses.
	Sir Alan Collins was in Beijing from 21 to 27 August. Sir Alan is employed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and his costs are being met by the FCO. His current role is Director General Trade and Investment USA. As high commissioner in Singapore, he was a member of the London 2012 Delegation that won the Games for the UK in July 2005 and he is Champion for the International Business Legacy from the London 2012 Games.
	Costs were limited and consisted of flights and hotels for the delegation for the period of their stay.
	Otherwise the British embassy Beijing and the Consulate-General Hong Kong provided a full service for tourists, Team GB and Government visitors including my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

Rendition

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss the issue of rendition detainees with the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.

David Miliband: On 5 March Lord Malloch-Brown spoke to Mr. Nowak, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture, in the margins of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Lord Malloch-Brown encouraged Mr. Nowak to provide the Government with any evidence he may have regarding allegations that detainees may have been held on Diego Garcia between 2002 and 2003. Officials speak regularly to Mr. Nowak and his team on a range of issues.

Russia: British Nationality

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with his Russian counterpart access to information on UK nationals formerly held in Soviet Union labour camps contained within the archives of the former KGB.

Caroline Flint: On 21 September, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office formally requested that the Russian government provide support and assistance to any individuals and families in the United Kingdom who are seeking access to information held in Russian government archives about relatives formerly detained in Soviet Union labour camps.

Seychelles

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens  (a) visited and  (b) emigrated to the Seychelles in each year since 2000.

Gillian Merron: The National Statistics Bureau (NSB) of the Republic of Seychelles estimates the number of visitors to Seychelles in the period 2000-2008 as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2000 16,117 
			 2001 17,076 
			 2002 18,890 
			 2003 18,765 
			 2004 17,629 
			 2005 16,497 
			 2006 15,529 
			 2007 16,372 
			 2008 (January to September) 10,543 
		
	
	The NSB estimates the number of UK nationals who have entered Seychelles as residents in the period 2000-2008 as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2000 1,197 
			 2001 1,356 
			 2002 1,397 
			 2003 1,714 
			 2004 1,693 
			 2005 1,840 
			 2006 1,843 
			 2007 2,078 
			 2008 (5 November 2008) 1,698 
		
	
	The figures provided by the NSB on the number of UK residents entering Seychelles are for all residents, including work permit holders and dual nationals returning from the UK to Seychelles to visit. UK nationals rarely seek citizenship in Seychelles and would likely number single figures.

Somalia: Ethiopia

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects on Somalia of the continuing Ethiopian presence in that country.

Gillian Merron: Ethiopia intervened in Somalia, at the invitation of the Transitional Federal Government, in December 2006, to counter the perceived threat from increasing militancy within the Islamic courts. The military defeat of the Islamic courts led to the establishment of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia in Asmara by some the political leaders of the Islamic courts. Its more militant elements have since engaged in an insurgency against the Ethiopian forces and the Transitional Federal Government.
	Following UN brokered talks in Djibouti beginning in May 2008, the Transitional Federal Government and the majority element of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia signed an agreement on the cessation of armed confrontation on 19 August 2008. On 26 October, the parties to the Djibouti Agreement held further talks, which agreed the date for the cessation of armed confrontation to begin on 5 November 2008. They also set in motion the requirement for Ethiopia to withdraw its troops within 120 days.
	The Government support the Djibouti Agreement as the first opportunity for many years for Somalis to bring lasting stability to their country.

Sudan: Peacekeeping Operations

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the role of Mr. Ahmad Harun in  (a) the Oversight Committee joint UN-AU hybrid operation in Darfur and  (b) the joint National Congress Party and Sudan People's Liberation Movement committee; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: Ahmad Harun has a seat on the UN-African Union joint peacekeeping mission Oversight Committee due to his position as State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and is a member of the National Congress Party and Sudan People's Liberation Movement Committee, which leads on political engagement between the two political parties. We are not aware of any specific allocation of responsibilities for members of either committee. We have avoided any contact with Mr. Harun.
	We have continued to press the Government of Sudan, at all levels, to comply with the International Criminal Court requirements, including during the UN Security Council visit to Sudan in June 2008. I raised the need for Sudan to co-operate with the International Criminal Court most recently in my meeting with Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Taha on 27 September in New York.

Torture: British Nationality

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government takes to protect British citizens from becoming victims of torture.

Gillian Merron: The UK is fundamentally opposed to torture and remains one of the most active countries in the world in the fight to eradicate it. In the answer of the Parliamentary under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Meg Munn) on 8 July 2008,  Official Report, column 1543W, we described some of the work we carry out in trying to ensure that people of all nationalities, including British nationals, do not become victims of this abhorrent practice.
	We provide consular assistance to British nationals abroad, which includes taking an interest in their welfare. We take allegations of torture very seriously and, with the permission of the individual concerned, can take up such allegations with the relevant authorities in the host state.

Western Sahara: Human Rights

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 25 April 2008,  Official Report, column 2325W, on Western Sahara: human rights, whether the British ambassador to Morocco discussed the human rights situation in occupied Western Sahara with Moroccan government officials; and when embassy officials visited the occupied Western Sahara in the last two years.

Gillian Merron: The UK is concerned about the humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict in Western Sahara. Our ambassador to Morocco discusses a range of issues relating to Western Sahara with Moroccan officials. The most recent high level discussions took place at the Euro Mediterranean conference in Marseille on 3 November, where my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed a range of issues, including Western Sahara and human rights, with the Moroccan Foreign Minister, Taieb Fassi Fihri.
	Diplomatic staff at our embassy in Rabat visited Western Sahara in October, calling on government officials, local non-governmental organisations and the UN peacekeeping mission to the Western Sahara, MINURSO. I anticipate further such visits in the future.